The literary world also got affected from Saturday’s ghastly and cowardly attack carried out by the Somali militant group – Al Shabaab, at the Westgate Mall, in Kenya.
It claimed the life of
Ghanaian poet of distinction, and one of Africa’s greatest literary icons, Professor Kofi Awoonor.
He died on Sunday morning from wounds sustained during the attack carried out by the Somali militant group.
Ghanaian government officials in the Capital, Accra, have confirmed news of his untimely demise.
“Prof. Awoonor died from injuries sustained during an attack on the Westgate Shopping Mall in Nairobi… a statement issued over the weekend, partly read.
His son, who was with him at the time of the incident, also sustained injuries. He is said to be responding to treatment.
Awoonor, 78, was in Kenya for the 2013 Storymoja Hay Festival – an event for the celebration of stories, ideas, writing and contemporary culture through storytelling, books, live discussion forums, workshops, debates, live performances and music.
The event, which was taking place from September 19 to 22, has since shut down, in what the organisers say is in solidarity with those affected.
A deadly incident that gained enough worldwide attention all weekend, the attack at the Westgate Mall, is the country’s deadliest in recent times.
The death toll stood at 59 on Sunday morning.
The literary world has lost an icon indeed.
Ghanaian government officials in the Capital, Accra, have confirmed news of his untimely demise.
“Prof. Awoonor died from injuries sustained during an attack on the Westgate Shopping Mall in Nairobi… a statement issued over the weekend, partly read.
His son, who was with him at the time of the incident, also sustained injuries. He is said to be responding to treatment.
Awoonor, 78, was in Kenya for the 2013 Storymoja Hay Festival – an event for the celebration of stories, ideas, writing and contemporary culture through storytelling, books, live discussion forums, workshops, debates, live performances and music.
The event, which was taking place from September 19 to 22, has since shut down, in what the organisers say is in solidarity with those affected.
A deadly incident that gained enough worldwide attention all weekend, the attack at the Westgate Mall, is the country’s deadliest in recent times.
The death toll stood at 59 on Sunday morning.
The literary world has lost an icon indeed.
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