In this episode, we sit down with Mr. Poetivist to explore the making of his new album, kumbaya – the elegy of distant relatives, released under Jinn Records. This project blends poetry, sound design and music into an intimate reflection on grief and loss.

We discuss how the album came to life, the imagery and storytelling woven through its tracks, and the personal experiences and cultural conversations that shaped its emotional core.

This conversation is a deep dive into art as healing, sound as remembrance, and poetry as a compass for understanding grief and loss.

In this special edition recorded at Pa Gya! A Literary Festival in Accra, I sit down with acclaimed author Yejide Kilanko to discuss her latest book, In My Own Ways. We explore her writing journey, her bold approach to addressing complex and heavy themes, and how she skillfully weaves humour into difficult narratives to create connection and balance.

This conversation offers a thoughtful look into how storytelling can confront pain, invite laughter, and ultimately, heal.

About the author:

Yejide Kilanko was born in Ibadan, Nigeria. She writes novels, short fiction, poetry and children's Picture books. Kilanko's 2012 debut novel Daughters Who Walk This Path was long-listed for the Nigeria Literature Prize. Her short fiction This Tangible Thing was shortlisted for Caine Prize. Her latest children's picture book The Other Side of Small, was published in 2024.

In this episode, I sit with poet Nana Asaase to explore how language shapes the Ghanaian imagination and the stories we tell about ourselves. Through reflections on poetry, translation, and cultural memory, our conversation reveals how words become both a bridge to the past and a tool for reimagining the future. Recorded as part of the Ancestors, Answer Me exhibition organized by the Museum of African Poetry. This episode invites listeners to reflect on how identity, language, and creativity continue to evolve within the Ghanaian narrative.

About my Guest:

Nana Asaase is a Ghanaian poet, cultural practitioner, and storyteller whose work bridges language, tradition, and contemporary expression. His creative practice rooted in a blend of English and Twi draws deeply from Akan oratory and folklore, extending into performance, coaching, and cultural consultancy.

For more than two decades, Nana has shared his art with audiences ranging from presidents and global dignitaries to poetry lovers around the world. His performances and cultural insights have been featured on prominent international platforms, including the BBC and CNN’s African Voices.

He joins this episode, Narratives in Transition: Linguistics, Poetry, and the Reimagination of Ghanaian Expression, part of the Ancestors, Answer Me exhibition organised by Museum of African Poetry, to explore how language and art reimagine Ghanaian identity and creativity.

In this episode of Books with Abena, I sit down with Ghanaian romance author Nana Malone, the queen of “Sexy Feel-Good Romance.” Nana shares her journey from project manager to full-time writer and how she’s honed her craft to write fast, consistently, and with heart. We talk about the misconceptions surrounding the romance genre and the writers and experiences that shaped her view of love and storytelling.

Nana also introduces us to her latest book, The Gold Coast Dilemma, a romcom that blends laughter and swoon-worthy romance with deeper themes of diaspora, tradition, and self-discovery. She opens up about writing for a global audience while staying true to Ghanaian culture and nuance. This is a conversation about joy, love, and the power of African stories to go beyond trauma.

About the Guest:

Wall Street Journal & USA Today Bestselling author, Nana Malone writes Sexy Feel-Good Romance and loves all things romance and adventure.

In this episode, we sit down with the mind behind Readers Truss, a thriving book community in Accra, to explore what it really takes to bring people together through a shared love of reading. We talk about the early days of building the community, the obstacles she has faced, and the strategies that keep members engaged and connected. Whether you are a community builder, a book lover, or someone dreaming of starting your own collective, this conversation is packed with insights, inspiration, and a reminder that reading is always better when it’s shared.

In this episode, I sit down with Ghanaian poet, writer, and curator Mr. Poetivist, whose work bridges the personal and political, the poetic and the performative. We talk about the beginnings of his writing journey, the meaning of poetry in a world on edge, and the poets who inspire his pen. He opens up about the challenges of building a creative career, confronting rejection, and using performance as protest.

We also explore the deeply impactful Don’t Let This Become Public, a project that boldly used poetry as a tool for political change.

Bio:

Born in Ghana, Mr. Poetivist is a poet, writer and curator with a unique voice that unearths the visuals of unsaid narratives. He commissioned a series of poems for Isshaq Ismail’s exhibition, Beyond the Fence, Begins the Sky, at Efie Gallery, UAE.

Additionally, he debuted his radio play, The Village We Are, on Berlin-based radio community, Refuge Worldwide. His poem Ode to Afrika was featured as the lead piece for TEDxAccra in 2021.

Poetivist challenges social and political injustices through poetry and creates immersive experiences that explore the boundaries between poetic expression and theatrical performance, engaging audiences in a profound dialogue about contemporary issues.

Can you believe we’re already halfway through 2025? In this special solo episode, I’m reflecting on the first half of my reading year—the highs, the slumps, the unexpected favorites, and everything in between. Join me as I share:

• My 30 reads so far
• Fiction & non-fiction favorites
• The books that truly surprised me
• The two I had to DNF

Whether you’re ahead of your reading goals or still stuck on your January book, this one’s for you. It's light, bookish, and cozy—just the way we like it.

Books:

1. Just for the Summer – Abby Jimenez
2. Hello Beautiful – Ann Napolitano
3. How to Kill Men and Get Away With It – Kitty Collins
4. Nothing is Okay – Racheal Wiley
5. Single Dads Club – Therese Beharrie
6. Flirting With Disaster – Naina Kumar
7. Playing Flirty – Shameez Patel
8. Untethered – Angela Jackson-Brown
9. We Had to Remove This Post – Hanna Bervoets
10. Tomorrow Died Yesterday – Chimeka Garricks
11. The Covenant of Water – Abraham Verghese
12. The Seven Year Slip – Ashley Poston
13. Red Clay – Charles B. Fancher
14. What Napoleon Could Not Do – D.K. Nnuro
15. All the Blues in the Sky – Renée Watson
16. I’m That Girl – Jordan Chiles
17. Here After – Amy Lin
18. Water Moon – Samantha Sotto Yamboa
19. Mainline Mama – Keeonna Harris
20. What My Mother and I Don’t Talk About – Anthology
21. Promise Boys – Nick Brooks
22. Necessary Fiction – Eloghosa Osunde
23. The Re-Write – Lizzie Damilola Blackburn
24. The Float Test – Lynn Steger Strong
25. Liquid – Mariam Rahmani
26. Weyward – Emilia Hart
27. The Love Lyric – Kristina Forest
28. Only Because It’s You – Rebecca Fisseha
29. The Fortunes of Jaded Women – Carolyn Huynh
30. Hold My Girl – Charlene Carr

In this episode, I talk about getting Advanced Readers Copy (ARC) and where to get free books if you are a book influencer. ARCs as we call them in the book world, are copies of a book that the publishing companies send out for review, before the release date. ARCs can be physical, Digital and Audio. 

In this episode, Abena speaks to two Samira Bawumia Literature Prize winners about their writing journey, participating in the literature prize and dealing with rejection.

About the Guests:

Benjamin Cyril Arthur

Benjamin Cyril Arthur is a Ghanaian writer that holds a degree in English and linguistics. His journey as a writer began in the vibrant literary landscape of Nigeria where storytelling is not just an art form but a vital thread in the fabric of culture. 

He has honed his craft through a combination of academic rigour and real-world experience, always seeking to push the boundaries of his creativity and explore new forms of expression. He is one of the few selected as a participant for the Canex Creative Writing Workshop 2024. He is a winner of the 2020 Samira Bawumia Literary Prize competition in poetry. His poems and short stories have also appeared in Brittle Paper, Tampered Press, Lunaris Review, Ghana Pride Anthology, lounloun, Flametress Press, Nenta literary journal, I see the Blue Zine, and Ama Ata Aidoo Centre for creative writing etc.

Emmanuela Amparebea Sekoh

Emmanuela Amparebea Sekoh is a corporate woman, blog writer and a budding young author. She is the brain behind a blog press dubbed 360secs with Ella. Some of her write-ups include Tailoring My Heart, Scarred and The Sixth Husband.

Emmanuela holds a degree in Business Administration (Banking and Finance). Alongside writing, her hobbies are listening to gospel music, event planning and watching fashion trends. She aspires to address social issues through writing and public speaking.  

Here's an update to our series "Bookclubs in Ghana"In this episode, I speak with the founder of Read Along With Cally's Bookclub about creating a reading club.

About the Bookclub:

Read Along With Cally's Bookclub is a community of readers, catering to both avid readers and those seeking to reignite their love for reading. The book club provides a nurturing environment where members can bond, network and share their passion for Literature.