Three accomplished female writers from Ghana and Nigeria have been chosen for the September/October 2023 edition of the Ebedi International Writers Residency. The renowned residency will provide them with a conducive environment to advance their ongoing literary projects.
The writers are Bamidele Shakiroh Adewunmi (Nigeria); Deborah Uzoma (Nigeria); and Gifty Salome Boateng (Ghana).
Beyond their individual writing endeavours, these writers have taken on an additional role during their four-week stay: mentoring secondary school students in Iseyin. This demonstrates their commitment to nurturing the next generation of literary talent.
Established in 2010, the Ebedi International Writers Residency has been a haven for writers needing an inspiring space to focus on their literary creations. Over the years, it has hosted 200 writers from 12 different African countries, cementing its reputation as a hub for literary excellence on the continent.
This year’s class of female residents owes their opportunity to the generous sponsorship of the Above Whispers Foundation, led by the eminent feminist thinker, gender specialist, policy advocate, and accomplished writer, Erelu Bisi Adeleye-Fayemi. Erelu Fayemi, a long-standing friend of the Ebedi Residency, has joined hands with the programme to facilitate the sponsorship of female writers across various residencies at Ebedi in 2023.
Erelu Bisi Adeleye-Fayemi is the author of several influential books, including “Speaking Above a Whisper” (2013), “Speaking for Myself” (2013), “Loud Whispers” (2017), and “Where is Your Wrapper?” (2020). Her commitment to empowering and uplifting female voices in literature aligns perfectly with the mission of the Ebedi International Writers Residency, making this collaboration a noteworthy endeavour in the literary world.
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