Dr Pelpuo, Upper West Writers’ Association Champion Youth Literacy

Ghana’s Minister for Labour, Jobs and Employment and Member of Parliament for Wa Central, Hon. Dr Abdul-Rashid Hassan Pelpuo, is spearheading a renewed drive to promote reading, creative writing and literary mentorship in the Upper West Region through his sponsorship of the 2026 Upper West Writers’ Association (UWWA) Writing and Book Conversation Programme.

The two-day literary outreach, scheduled for 27–28 July 2026 at Wa Senior High School and the Nusrat Jahan Ahmadiyya College of Education, is expected to bring together students, authors and literary enthusiasts for writing mentorship sessions, book conversations, literary discussions and the donation of books to school libraries.

Dr Pelpuo, an accomplished poet and author with several publications to his credit, is also a founding member of the Upper West Writers’ Association, a platform established to unite writers from the region while nurturing a new generation of creative minds through mentorship and intellectual engagement.

The Association has evolved into a vibrant literary community comprising writers, academics, journalists, poets and literary enthusiasts committed to promoting literacy and artistic expression in the Upper West Region and beyond.

Supporting authors for this year’s programme include Ishmael A. Junourgh, Saeed Fadlulahi, Jude Delle, Poet Pobee and Francis Guonaa, who will engage students on creative writing, reading culture, publishing opportunities and the role of literature in national development.

The initiative is designed to inspire young people to embrace reading and creative writing while providing a platform for meaningful interaction between students and experienced authors. The programme will also support school libraries through the donation of books.

The Association’s distinguished membership includes personalities such as Mba Naa Dr Abdulai Darimani, Dr Hakeem A. Tahiru, Dr Francis Xavier Dery Tuokuu, Mr Moses Luri and other respected senior citizens whose vision and guidance have shaped the organisation since its inception.

Recently, the Association welcomed veteran journalist and communications expert Albert Don-Chebe into its ranks, describing his inclusion as a significant addition that would enrich discussions and strengthen collaborative efforts to advance literature and intellectual discourse.

With a membership of about 37, the Upper West Writers’ Association has become an important platform for discussing issues affecting Africa, including decolonisation, gaps in education and industry, and contemporary geopolitical developments.

Members believe such conversations are essential to nurturing critical thinkers and positioning literature as a catalyst for social transformation and sustainable development. As preparations intensify for the 2026 Writing and Book Conversation Programme, the Association remains committed to cultivating a strong reading culture, mentoring emerging writers and using literature as a vehicle for education, leadership and national development.