The Ghana International Book Fair (GIBF) has named prolific author Lawrence Darmani as the GIBF Personality of the Year. This is part of a ceremony initiated in 2018 to honour personalities who have contributed to literary works and cultural activities with an interest in books in Ghana and beyond.
“He is the author of Journeys of An African Father, One for the Road, All the Way to Calvary, and many other stories. He has also written for the Daily Graphic, Our Daily Bread devotional, and Scripture Union devotionals for over a decade.”
Mr. Darmani was honoured in Accra on August 10, 2024, during the 21st edition of the annual Ghana International Book Fair. He is a renowned Ghanaian author whose literary career took off in 1991 with the publication of his debut novel, Grief Child. The novel, which poignantly explores the life of a young boy dealing with loss and resilience, received critical acclaim. Grief Child won the Commonwealth Writers’ Prize for Best First Book, bringing international recognition to Mr. Darmani and establishing him as a significant voice in Ghanaian literature.
Acceptance and Appreciation
In a letter expressing appreciation for the honour, Mr. Darmani said he deemed this selection as a recognition not just of him and his achievements, but more so of GIBF’s appreciation of the contribution of books, writing, and literature as cultural artefacts, and the promotion of reading for national development. “I wish to thank the planning committee of the 21st Ghana International Book Fair for this recognition and honour brought to me, and I humbly accept the offer,” he added.
Passion
From Ghana through Kenya to Mali and Senegal, Mr. Darmani was immersed in the rich oral traditions of these cultures, igniting his passion for storytelling. These early influences are said to have shaped his literary voice, blending traditional narratives with contemporary themes. He is credited for his contributions to the promotion of reading and literacy, along with a prolific writing career that has inspired countless individuals. The honour to Mr. Darmani places him in a prestigious league with a handful of renowned authors and predecessor recipients of this prestigious award. He succeeds the Country Director of UNESCO Ghana, Abdourahamane Diallo, who received the revered award in August last year.
Before Mr. Diallo, veteran publisher in Ghana and Africa and Chief Executive Officer of Sub-Saharan Publishers, Akosua Ofori-Mensah, and author, cultural activist, and President of the African University College of Communications, Kojo Yankah, received the honour in 2022 and 2021, respectively. Poets and Pan-Africanists, Prof. Atukwei Okai and Prof. Kofi Awoonor, were jointly handed the award posthumously as the first recipients in 2019 before Professor Kofi Anyidoho, also a poet, author, and lecturer, became the second recipient of the award in 2020.
Willing Journey
The Executive Director of GIBF, Yvonne Bossman, speaking about the GIBF Personality of the Year award, said literacy must be a willing journey of discovery and appreciation of life a journey that Mr. Darmani has championed through his profound storytelling. “In this era of AI, where digital narratives often lack the depth of human experience, Mr. Darmani’s works stand as a testament to the enduring power of literature to enlighten, inspire, and connect us on a deeply personal level,” she added.
