A Member of Ghana’s Council of State, Gabriel Tanko Kwamigah-Atokple, has commemorated the 13th anniversary of the death of renowned Ghanaian poet, diplomat, intellectual and statesman, Professor Kofi Nyidevu Awoonor.

Prof Awoonor died tragically in Nairobi, Kenya, on September 21, 2013.

In a tribute marking the anniversary, Kwamigah-Atokple described Prof Awoonor as one of Ghana’s most distinguished literary figures whose contributions to literature, diplomacy, scholarship and national service continue to resonate years after his death.

He noted that the anniversary held particular significance for him because both men trace their ancestral roots to Weta in the Volta Region.

“Prof Awoonor was a proud son of Weta in the Volta Region — the same ancestral home from which I also hail,” Kwamigah-Atokple stated.

He further highlighted another connection between them, noting that Prof Awoonor once served as Chairman of the Council of State, the same institution on which he now serves as a member.

According to him, being in the Council of State’s historic chamber, beneath the national emblem and within an institution where Prof Awoonor once provided counsel to the Republic, offers a powerful reminder of the late scholar’s contribution to Ghana’s public life.

Kwamigah-Atokple said he remembers Prof Awoonor not only for his literary achievements but also as a son of Weta who carried the cultural heritage and intellectual voice of his people onto the national and international stage.

“His life reminds us that where we come from can shape the depth of what we contribute to our nation,” he said, describing Prof Awoonor’s journey from Weta to the Council of State as an enduring part of Ghana’s collective history.

He said 13 years after his passing, Prof Awoonor’s words, scholarship, patriotism and legacy continue to inspire and remain relevant to subsequent generations.

The Council of State member expressed hope that the memory and contributions of the late professor would continue to be honoured, particularly by young Ghanaians seeking to contribute to national development.

“From Weta to the Council of State, a connection across generations, a responsibility to serve and a legacy to honour,” he stated.

Prof Kofi Nyidevu Awoonor was a celebrated Ghanaian poet, author, academic and diplomat whose literary works drew extensively from Ewe oral traditions and Ghanaian cultural experiences. His career also included significant public service, including his role as Chairman of Ghana’s Council of State.

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