Author Profile - Adjei Agyei-Baah

Biography:

Adjei Agyei-Baah is a 31-year old Ghanaian living in Ghana. He holds a Master of Business Administration degree in Strategic Management and Consultancy Service from Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology School of Business, Kumasi. Some of his poems have been published in www.modernghana.com and www.kpokplomaja.com. He accidentally discovered his talent of writing when undertaking a research work on children’s rhymes and was asked by his supervisor create his own poems after selecting already existing rhymes from foreign poets. Some of his award winning poems include Mother Is Supreme (Luv FM Mothers’ Day Poetry Promo, 2008) and Similes of Love (Hello FM Valentine's Day Poetry Competition, 2009).


Five Questions with Adjei Agyei-Baah:

1. How long have you been writing poetry?

I have been writing poetry since 1996, specifically at my second year at the Offinso Teacher Training College, Ashanti.


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

My favorite poets are Oswald M. Mtshali, Kofi Awoonor, S. K. Okleme, Lord Byron, Andrew Marvell and Langston Hughes. However, the one whom I have drawn much inspiration from is the late Joseph Hill of Culture fame. I am many times fascinated by his choice of words; I think his lyrics have had a great impact on my life. May his soul rest in perfect peace.


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

I hope my poetry will make people appreciate the beauty in nature and also make them reflect over their past actions and make amends where they might have gone wrong. Above all, I hope my poems bring strength to the weary, hope to the oppressed and humor to the depressed. For it encompasses all what life has taught me and I’m ready to share it with anyone who wants to learn.


4.What is your opinion on the state of African poetry today?

Poetry has not been given its right place in Africa. Many think that poetry is meant to be appreciated only by poets. Also, our predecessor who started poetry packaged their works in language which was beyond the grasp of the ordinary man. This move made poetry seemed like a material for academic exercise. But gradually it is making a headway as it is now recited on television and in bars, especially in Ghana, as a form of entertainment.


5. With whom do you generally share your poetry? Do you work with any other poets to help improve your writing?

I do usually share my poems with friends and colleagues at my work place. Besides that I enjoy reading my poems on a programme called African Radio Theatre which run on Saturdays on Focus FM, the official radio station of Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology. My poems are at times edited by my former lecturers and my friends who are also poets. At times I may perfect my lines from the comments people make about my poems on the internet.


Contact Adjei:
kwakubaa(at)yahoo.com

3 comments:

Anonymous said...

more power to your elbow---refreshing for a man to stand emotionally--naked--something more common..for women--reminds me a bit on B.Midlers---the Rose--some say love it is a razor that leaves the soul to bleed----silverzorro.

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