Kofi Awoonor | |
|---|---|
 | |
| 8th Ghana Permanent Representative to the United Nations | |
| In office 1990–1994 | |
| President | Jerry Rawlings |
| Preceded by | James Victor Gbeho |
| Succeeded by | George Lamptey |
| Personal details | |
| Born | George Kofi Nyidevu Awoonor-Williams 13 March 1935 Wheta, Gold Coast, Ghana |
| Died | 21 September 2013 (aged 78) Nairobi, Kenya |
| Relations | Nii Parkes (nephew) |
| Alma mater | |
| Occupation | Poet, author, academic and diplomat |
Kofi Awoonor (born George Kofi Nyidevu Awoonor-Williams; 13 March 1935 – 21 September 2013) was a Ghanaian poet, author and diplomat. His work combined the poetic traditions of his native Ewe people with contemporary and religious symbolism to depict Africa during decolonization. He started writing under the name George Awoonor-Williams,[1] and was also published as Kofi Nyidevu Awoonor. He taught African literature at the University of Ghana. Professor Awoonor was among those who were killed in the September 2013 attack at Westgate shopping mall in Nairobi, Kenya, where he was a participant at the Storymoja Hay Festival.[2][3][4]
- ^ Hans M. Zell, Carol Bundy & Virginia Coulon (eds), A New Reader's Guide to African Literature, Heinemann Educational Books, 1983, p. 355.
- ^ "Prof. Awoonor dies in Al-Shabab attack in Kenyan Mall". citifmonline.com. 22 September 2013.
- ^ Alice Vincent (22 September 2013). "Nairobi shopping mall attacks: Kofi Awoonor, Ghanaian poet, killed in Westgate Attack". The Daily Telegraph. London. Archived from the original on 23 September 2013.
- ^ "Somalia's al-Shabab claims Nairobi Westgate Kenya attack". BBC News. 22 September 2013. Retrieved 22 September 2013.