Julian Adomako-Gyimah is an alum of Presby Boys Secondary School, Legon. He holds a B.A. in Business Studies at the Kensington College of Business, London, a Diploma in Journalism at the Writers Bureau College of Journalism, Manchester, UK, Executive Diplomas in Strategic Management and Management, a Diploma in Management Studies and an Executive MBA at the Huddersfield University, UK. He has worked as a Financial Controller at Brook & Whittle, after working as an Accounts Manager at Ryder Plc, both in the UK. Additionally, he is a Chartered Manager and a member of the Chartered Management Institute (CMI), also in the UK.
Julian is the proud author of two bestsellers, namely Smile Africa and Recall, which are both available on amazon.com, bn.com, borders.com, and in all major retail outlets around the globe.
Julian is a co-founder of One Ghana, One Voice.
Five Questions with Julian Adomako-Gyimah:
1. How long have you been writing poetry?
I've been writing since I was about 8 years old.
2. Who are your favorite poets? Which poets have most inspired you and informed your work?
My favourite poets include Maya Angelou, Joy Alford, Kofi Anyidoho, Kofi Awoonor, Kwame Alexander, Rob Taylor, Bob Marley, Mutabaruka, Joseph Hill and Peter Tosh. The poets who have inspired my writing style are Marcus Garvey and Bob Nesta Marley.
3. What is your opinion of the state of African poetry today? What do you think needs to be done to promote and strengthen African poetry?
The State of African poetry is currently nothing to write home about and it is a shame that Great men like Nkrumah are crying in their graves due to the non existence of very great African poets who address the spiritual and economic issues facing the continent and its people in the diaspora.
African Poets need to read more and get their materials published instead of just keeping them in lockers and it is about time we harness, explore, explore and explore our full potential.
4. What do you think is the role of poetry in modern Ghanaian politics?
Poetry is a language that is understood by all and sundry and it is a tool that scares greedy politicians who do not live up to their promises. Poetry can thus be used to address issues associated with politicians and hence force them to deliver and alleviate poverty. A clear example is my poem "This Is The Time."
5. In "This Is the Time" you speak both of Ghanaian (Kufuor, Rawlings, etc.), African (Obasanjo, Charles Taylor, etc.), and Global (CIA, Iraq, Afghanistan, etc.) political figures and issues. How are these things connected, and why, in your mind, should they be important to Ghanaians? Likewise, why should African and Ghanaian politics be important to people living in Western countries?
The world is a global village and whatever affects one directly affects the other indirectly hence the controversial link. In this particular poem, I was talking for the opressed and the voiceless all over the world via poetry and it makes me feel good as I have at least put a smile on the faces of those who have been used and abused by the thieves called politicians.
Whatever affects Ghanaians directly affect the western society and the entire globe indirectly so this poem is for everyone who believes in the truth. I cannot take up a gun and kill the greedy African politicians, the CIA, George Bush and Blair, etc. but I can kill them with the pen hahahahahaha.
Contact Julian:
Email: jlnadom(at)gmail.com
Website: Buy Smile Africa
Buy Recall
1 comment:
I think Julian is very brave to come out so boldly with his piece. its truly time for all voices to rise up and stand up for our believes and our rights. kudos, my friend.
Derik Mensah
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