WEALTH OF IDEAS

I participated in a discussion of African writing and the internet. Below is an excerpt, as well as a link to One Ghana One Voice (OGOV) for the rest of the discussion. Prince Mensah : Considering the present shape of African writing, what visible steps are being taken to use the Internet as a medium of communication? Are those steps enough? What impact does all this have on indigenous readers who might or might not have access to the Internet? Michelle Labossiere Brandt : The Internet is turning out to be a fantastic gift to the African writer, and an immediate way to publicize one's creativity. It is the diving board, a place to launch and in doing so extends out to those readers who don't have access to the Internet! Let me use my own community as an example. Our goal as an organization (RIFE & RIFG) was twofold: bring poets from Africa and Canada together to publish an anthology to raise money for a project in Ghana, and educate the average Edmontonian poet and reader a

This announcement orginally appeared at ImageNations , a blog by Nana Fredua-Agyeman. Mensa Press announces the release of 3 brand new anthologies listed below. The press is Africentric, attempting to provide a necessary platform for the often overshadowed, authentic African voice. Simultaneously, its visionary lens gives legs to African literature, and advocates for Africans’ independence toward literary freedom and growth. The anthologies are featured below: The War Against War: Poetry about stark realities of war With contributions from poets in Ghana, Nigeria, Zimbabwe, USA, and India, the War Against War contains the voices of poets who represent a growing fatigue with aggression in the world. Each poem looks at war from broken windows – images are disturbing and the sentiments are gloomy. Each poet in this anthology wages a war against war with compelling perspectives. Authors in the collection: Prince Kwasi Mensah, Lord God Almighty, Lila Mensa, RolandBankoleMarke, Cosmas Mairos

For six weeks, One Ghana, One Voice will feature poems on Zimbabwe. The first featured poet is the vibrant Prince Mensah, whose poem centers on the history of Zimbabwe and highlight resilience through highlighting the idea that Zimbabwe is indeed Zimba Remabwe (house of stone). The poem is accompanied by an author interview, in which Mensah displays his knowledge of the challenge bedevilling Africa. Here is an extract: 4. What lessons can Zimbabwe learn from Ghana's history? What lessons can Ghana learn from Zimbabwe? Zimbabweans can learn the power of tolerance from Ghana. Trust me; we have had volatile situations that could have ended up in chaos. Yet, there is a cultural underpinning that rejects bloodshed as a way of solving issues. The way of Gandhi is better than the way of guns. In the end, the best person to change Zimbabwe for the better is the Zimbabwean who is ready to make sacrifices and take risks, in order to move the dream forward. Ghanaians can learn the value of hi

Fellow poet and friend, Prince Mensah, tells me he has started a small press that will focus on poetry publication. Below are the different calls for submission. Call for Submissions for The War Against War Anthology Mensa Press seeks poetry that speaks against war and about the atrocities committed in its name. Attach three – five poems to the body of an e-mail and send it to mensapress@gmail.com. If your entries are selected, you will be required to send us your full name, address, phone number, a picture and brief biography of yourself to the email. You will also be required to sign a release form before your poetry is used in the anthology. Payment would be 3 copies of the anthology to each poet whose poetry is used. Deadline for submission is December 31st, 2009. Call for Submissions for Visions of the Motherland Anthology Mensa Press seeks poetry from African poets which celebrates the various cultures, tribes and people of Africa. Attach three – five poems to the body of an e-