The Ghana Association of Writers (GAW) has expressed sadness at the loss of literary icon Ama Ata Aidoo.

Eulogising the writer in a statement, the association noted the deceased was “an accomplished Ghanaian author, playwright and poet.”

“Not only was she a Ghanaian literary powerhouse, but as the patriot that she was, Prof. served as the Secretary for Education (which position is currently known as the Minister of Education) in 1982 under the PNDC regime,” the association further noted.

It added: “Members of the Ghana Association of Writers (GAW) are in grief, over the death of the great woman, Ama Ata Aidoo.”

Meanwhile, President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo has said Ghana will miss the literary icon who passed away on Wednesday, 31 May 2023. 

The literary icon died at the age of 81 after a short illness.

Reacting to her death in a post on Facebook, President Akufo-Addo noted: “I heard of the news of the death of Ama Ata Aidoo with sadness and sorrow.

 “I extend deepest sympathies and condolences to her children and family on their great loss.”

President Akufo-Addo revealed: “She was my contemporary at the University of Ghana, someone with whom I enjoyed friendly and productive relations.” 

He noted that the literary icon made a tremendous contribution to the development of Ghana through her work.

“Ama Ata Aidoo was a big Ghanaian, and one of the outstanding writers of her generation. Through her work, she made a tremendous contribution to the development of our country and continent, and expressed so many of our feelings about our fate as Ghanaians and, indeed, as Africans,” he said.

He further noted that the deceased writer had a reach beyond Ghana and therefore will be missed by all.

“We will miss her; the continent and the world will miss her. She had a reach that was beyond Ghana,” Mr Akufo-Addo said.