The Pa Gya Literary Festival is celebrating its 10th anniversary, with Festival Director Martin Egblewogbe highlighting the challenges faced by Ghanaian writers in getting their work noticed. According to Egblewogbe, Ghana has a wealth of talented writers, but their stories often go unseen, even within the country. He attributes this to a lack of reliable channels for local authors to reach their target audience.
Egblewogbe contrasts the experience of Ghanaian writers with that of foreign authors, who often enjoy greater recognition and easier access to the Ghanaian book market. He emphasizes that the real task is not the absence of good stories, but making sure those stories are seen, read, and appreciated both at home and abroad. The festival has worked to link writers with publishers, booksellers, academics, and readers over the past decade.
The Pa Gya Literary Festival has built a support network that Egblewogbe describes as essential for Ghanaian authors to sustain careers and grow their audiences beyond the country's borders. He calls on government agencies, corporate organizations, and development partners to provide more resources for literary initiatives and publishing. This, he believes, will help preserve Ghana's cultural identity and document the lived experiences of its people.
The European Union Delegation to Ghana, a long-standing partner of the festival, also addressed the launch. Programme Officer Malgorzata Pitura highlights the importance of literature and storytelling in promoting dialogue, cultural exchange, and social development. She notes that the creative sector holds real potential for innovation, entrepreneurship, and job creation, particularly for young Ghanaians.
The lack of visibility for Ghanaian writers has practical consequences, including limited opportunities for local authors to earn income, build reputations, or have their work taught and discussed at home. A stronger visibility pipeline could mean more Ghanaian stories reaching classrooms, libraries, and international markets. This, in turn, could enable more writers to turn their craft into a livelihood.
The 10th edition of Pa Gya! A Literary Festival is scheduled to run from October 16 to 18, 2026, at the Goethe-Institut Ghana and the Foundation for Contemporary Art in Cantonments, Accra. The festival will feature over 80 writers and speakers from Ghana and at least 13 other countries, with more than 70 events, including book readings, panel discussions, and masterclasses.
Pa Gya, a Twi expression meaning "to lift up" or "to strike a flame," is organized by the Writers Project of Ghana in partnership with the Goethe-Institut Ghana and the Foundation for Contemporary Art. Since its inception in 2017, the festival has grown into one of Ghana's most prominent literary gatherings, bringing together writers, publishers, poets, and literary enthusiasts from Ghana and beyond each year.
Key points
- The Pa Gya Literary Festival aims to increase visibility for Ghanaian writers and bridge the gap between local authors and readers.
- The festival has built a support network for Ghanaian authors to sustain careers and grow their audiences beyond the country's borders.
- The 10th edition of the festival will feature over 80 writers and speakers from Ghana and at least 13 other countries, with more than 70 events.
