Ghanaian authors take Ghana’s literary heritage to GEMS Millennium School in Sharjah

Three Ghanaian authors have engaged students at GEMS Millennium School in Sharjah, United Arab Emirates, to promote Ghanaian literature and encourage reading and creative writing.

The engagement brought together Ghanaian authors Oswald Okaitei, Ruby Goka and Elizabeth-Irene Baitie and students of the school for an interactive session exploring Ghanaian writing, literature and storytelling while fostering cross-cultural learning and intellectual exchange.

As part of their contribution to promoting reading and literary development, the authors donated books written by themselves and other Ghanaian authors to the school’s library. Additional copies were presented to some students to encourage reading, nurture creativity and deepen their appreciation of literature.

Describing the encounter as intriguing and rewarding, Okaitei highlighted the reciprocal nature of the engagement, noting that beyond sharing their experiences and perspectives as Ghanaian writers, the authors also had the opportunity to learn from the students’ creativity, curiosity and literary interests.

“It was a give-and-take experience, with quite a lot of learning curves for me,” he reflected.

One of the most remarkable aspects of the encounter was the impressive literary accomplishments of some of the students. Several were already published authors, with some having written as many as six books while still in their teenage years. Their achievements offered an inspiring glimpse into the emerging generation of young writers and storytellers.

The initiative provided an important platform for showcasing Ghana’s literary identity beyond its borders, reaffirming the role of books and storytelling as instruments of cultural diplomacy, education and tourism promotion.

For Okaitei, the opportunity to represent Ghana on this international platform was both a profound pleasure and an honour. He acknowledged the Consulate of Ghana in Dubai and the Northern Emirates, together with BOST Energies, for creating the opportunity for the Ghanaian literary delegation to participate in this year’s Sharjah International Book Fair as part of a broader programme of literary and cultural engagements.

The school engagement forms part of the wider Black Star Experience agenda, which seeks to project Ghana’s cultural identity, heritage and creative potential to international audiences.

Through this initiative, Ghana’s literary heritage is being positioned as an integral component of the country’s tourism and cultural appeal. Books and storytelling offer unique pathways to discovering Ghana’s history, people, traditions, values and contemporary experiences.

The engagement also demonstrates the capacity of Ghanaian literature to connect generations and cultures while creating opportunities for international collaboration in education, publishing and the creative industries.

By taking Ghanaian stories, literary perspectives and publications into international learning environments, the Ghanaian delegation is extending the reach of the country’s literary heritage and strengthening its presence in the global cultural space.

The Black Star Experience is therefore finding expression not only through conventional cultural showcases but also through literary diplomacy, educational engagement and international partnerships.

Beyond promoting Ghana as a cultural and tourism destination, the initiative advances an equally important proposition: Ghana is a destination for literary discovery, intellectual exchange and storytelling.