[By Michael Akenoo] By definition, the term Pan Africanism in the context of literature refers to the projection of the African cultural ideal by African writers in their works of poetry, drama and fiction (prose).

This model or pattern of writing up to the present time has its past stalwarts and chief exponents in the persons of such writers like Leopold Senghor, former Prime Minister of Senegal, OsmaneSembene etc.

One can also associate this pattern of writing with contemporary renowned African writers like Wole Soyinka (1986 winner of Nobel World Literature Prize) of Nigeria, OlaRotimi, J.P Clark, Chinua Achebe,SuroWiwa, Christopher Okpotiof Nigeria, Kofi Awonoor, Kofi Anyidoho, Ama Atta Aidoo, Efua Sutherland, Joe DeGraft,Bill Marshall, AsieduYirenkyi, Mohammed Ben Abdallah, AtukweiOkai, Martin Owusu of Ghana,NgugiWathiog’o (formerly called James Ngugi) of Kenya, William Cotton of Sierra Leoneetc as an exponents and advocates of Pan Africanism in their writings in the contemporary African literature situation.

It is a fact that African culture is comparatively young, and still in the developmental process and yet to compare favourably with that of Euro-American literature.

By simple definition,literature is a cultural manifestation. And culture in essence is not stagnant but dynamic and for this reason, culture goes through evolution, development and refinement to suit the changing of times.CLICK HERE TO READ MORE Ghanaian Times