Ghanian poet, writer, and artist Poetra Asantewa was honored as a guest speaker at the University of Ghana’s congregation ceremony for the College of Humanities Class of 2024.
In her address, Asantewa reflected on the life of Ghanian musicologist and composer Ephraim Amu, drawing parallels between his dedication to service and her own journey. She spoke about how, at times, “the work that needs to be done is not the work you planned or initially studied for, but what must be done.”
She took this opportunity to emphasize “usefulness,” seeking to instill in the new graduates the conviction that “their ambitions extend beyond personal dreams; they are architects of the future, entrusted with shaping a country that should serve all its people, not just the ones who can climb to the top.”
Her speech offered relevant and motivating advice for the young people entering a new phase of their lives.
Poetra Asantewa is the author of the chapbook You Too Will Know Me (African Poetry Book Fund), the poetry collection Woman, Eat Me Whole (Ecco), and the short story collection Someone Birthed Them Broken (Tampered Press). She has also put out the album For All Of Us.
What a great honor for Asantewa and the graduating students! See below for a snippet of her speech!
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