President Akufo-Addo Mourns the Loss of Prof. Ama Ata Aidoo: “She was an Outstanding Writer and Advocate”
In a recent announcement, President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo expressed his heartfelt condolences for the late Prof. Ama Ata Aidoo, acknowledging her as an exceptional writer and a relentless advocate for women, Africans, and progressive causes worldwide. President Akufo-Addo reminisced about their time as contemporaries at the University of Ghana, praising Prof. Aidoo’s significant contributions that brought honor to their country through her literary works, inspiring personality, and unwavering commitment to her beliefs.
The President’s remarks were made during a courtesy visit by the family of Prof. Aidoo to the Jubilee House in Accra, where they formally announced her passing and shared details of the upcoming burial arrangements. Led by Ebusuapanyin Kwamena Essandoh Aidoo, Head of the Ogyadze Asona Family of Abora Nkwanta, the delegation included various family members and close associates of the esteemed author.
The late Prof. Aidoo, who passed away on May 31, 2023, was a distinguished Ghanaian figure, known for her multifaceted contributions as an author, poet, playwright, politician, and academic. She served as the Secretary of Education from 1982 to 1983 under President Jerry John Rawlings’s PNDC administration. Prof. Aidoo’s notable literary works include “Anowa,” “The Dilemma of a Ghost,” “The Girl who Can,” “Our Sister Killjoy,” “No Sweetness Here,” and “Changes: A Love Story.”
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To honor her memory, Prof. Aidoo will be laid in state on July 13, 2023, and buried in her hometown of Abiadze Kyarkor in the Mfantsemen Municipality, Central Region, the following day. Recognizing her significant contributions to the nation, President Akufo-Addo has decided to grant her a state-assisted burial, allowing the people of Ghana to pay their respects and express their gratitude for a life dedicated to the betterment of the country.
Ebusuapanyin Kwamena Essandoh Aidoo also revealed that Prof. Aidoo had expressed her wish not to have her remains preserved for more than six weeks, a request the family intends to honor. Additionally, a Thanksgiving Service is scheduled to take place on Sunday, July 16, 2023, at the Good Shepherd Methodist Church in Abiadze Kyarkor.
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The passing of Prof. Ama Ata Aidoo is undoubtedly a tremendous loss to Ghana and the literary world. Her remarkable legacy as a writer and advocate will continue to inspire generations to come. President Akufo-Addo, acknowledging the deep bond they shared, pledged to attend the funeral and work closely with the family and the Office of the Chief of Staff to ensure a dignified and fitting farewell for the late Prof. Aidoo.
