So, I am almost embarrassed to say that despite being a lover and consumer of classical African literature, I have never read anything written by Christina Ama Ata Aidoo.
I think it’s kind of that situation where you intend to get around to reading a particular author’s body of work, but kept postponing it until you wake up one day and hear they are gone. That is how I am learning about Ghanaian author, poet, playwright and educator, Aidoo after death on May 31, 2023.
Though I am yet to read all her works – what I have discovered so far (that has convinced me to read more of her works) makes me believe she is a study in contradiction. A traditionalist in her views of African community, culture and identity, but a strong, non-cautious progressive.
I mean look at her works – her debut novel, Our Sister Killjoy (1977), portrays a very opposing view of sexuality in Africa by promoting homosexuality as inherent rather than a western imported culture; while her novel Changes: A Love Story (1991), focuses on a polyandry character (a woman with two husbands). What west African woman at the time – believes much less wrote about such concepts, which are still to a very large extent, not a norm in Africa’s culture?
What I do love is her ability to practice what she preaches. Aidoo who has spoken out against the trend of literate African writers who profess to love their countries to move out of Africa to western societies, to enjoy the benefits accruable in such climes – has kept close to home – working for the growth of her nation. First, as Ghanaian Secretary of Education (1982 -1983), resigning only when she realized her dreams of making education free and fair wasn’t possible. Then taught as a English professor first at University of Ghana, then University of Cape Coast where she rose to the position of a professor. In 1983, she lived in Zimbabwe, where she remained involved in education and writing, as a curriculum developer for the Zimbabwe Ministry of Education. The point is despite a Fulbright Scholarship award in 1988, the writer in residence position at University of Richmond in Virginia US, and teaching experience in Hamilton College, New York and a visiting professor position at Africana Studies Department at Brown University, still in the US, she finds her way back to Africa. Although one can argue her acceptance of awards, scholarships and the international visiting professorship, which has her living abroad a greater part of the time.
Aidoo also holds the recognition of the first published African woman with the publication of her first play The Dilemma of a Ghost in 1965. Her works won a few international awards – like Changes: A Love Story (1991) which won the 1992 Commonwealth Writers’ Prize for Best Book Africa; Someone Talking To Sometime (1985), a collection of poems that took the 1987 Nelson Mandela Prize for Poetry. She had was operating the Ghanaian-based her non-governmental organization Mbaasem Foundation she founded with her daughter and popular African literary critic, Kinna Likimani till her death. Her death was a ‘peaceful passing at home after a brief illness’ on May 31, 2023.
Definitely, one need not agree with all of her philosophies and principles. I don’t. However, it must be said she lived an impactful live. One that many of us, may not quite get to live. Also, she stuck to her ideologies – well, most of it to the death. That speaks of strong will and determination. Those are a few of the things we require to live impactful lives. So, rest in peace, Ama Ata Aidoo.
