Author Profile - Reggie Kyere

Biography:

Kyere Ofori Reginald was born in 1987 in Kumasi, Ashanti Region. He has an elder sister and a younger brother, and recently completed Philips Secondary Commercial School in Kumasi.


Five Questions with Reggie Kyere:

1. How long have you been writing poetry?

I really got into writing poetry this year, about four months ago. I'm a real amateur.


2. Who are your favourite poets? Which poets have most inspired and informed your work?

I love Maya Angelou and Langston Hughes. The first poem that got me to like poetry was Hughes' "Mother to Son". I'm only starting writing, but these two are my initial influences.


3. What do you hope to accomplish with your poetry?

To show the youth the beauty in poetry - I call it "soul food". And also to address the feelings and challenges of Africans.


4. Are you involved in any sort of writing communities? Are you connected with other poets in your community?

Other poets? I don't see them. I really don't know about any writing communities, though I'd love to get involved with one if it does exist. The people around me don't like poetry, they would rather buy video clips than buy poetry books. I don't really blame them. The poetry society in Ghana and the Ghanaian education service have failed to promote it.


5. What do you think can be done to strengthen the writing community in Ghana?

Heightening the interest in poetry at the grassroots: at the junior high schools, then the senior high schools. The harm has already been done, we should focus on bringing poetry back to life.


Contact Reggie:
reggiekyere(at)@yahoo.com

3 comments:

Anonymous said...

Reggie,

You have a bright future in poetry. Keep it up. Keep writing. Don't wait for Ghana to catch up. There is always an audience for good poetry.

Prince

edithfaalong said...

fantastic amateur you are Reggie.
just keep tuned in to the poetic beat within you and you GO!

Anonymous said...

keep up the good work! poetry is life. there cannot be life without poetry. poetry is the past. poetry is the present and poetry can be the future. poetry lies within the heart of its owner and who can reap that benefit of the floating word that just tinkled your heart? that's a gift from God.