Professor Atukwei Okai was a renowned Ghanaian poet and political personality. He was known across the globe for his poem, and people in Ghana also recite his poems orally. He had wide public support because of his views and poetry.

Initially he got his graduation from the University of Ghana, and later went on to pursue his studies in the UK and got his PhD degree.

He later on started writing great poems. His work is translated in various different languages, and is still being red across the globe.

According to other African poets, professor Arukwei Okai was one of the only modern African poets to try and create his own rhymes while retaining a touch of the old African poetry.

Professor Okai died in July 2018, and left behind a wife and daughters.

He had many awards to his name, and was praised for his poetry and political efforts. He is considered as a hero in academic and political circles. There was also a Columbia Embassy event to praise his efforts.

His Writings

Okai was the youngest member of the Ghana Society of Writers when it was founded in 1957. At that time, he was only aged 16. He was still in high school at that time.

His poetry was published in newspapers and magazines for a few years, this was how he gathered a lot of public support and recognition. He worked in the radio as well. His first collection was published in 1971, and the second in 1974. He mixed traditional and modern poetry in his collections. His poems were translated into Russian, Spanish, Arabic, Italian, French, German and some others. His work was quoted and praised by many academics as well.

This was a brief look into the life of Professor Atukwei Okai. While he is no more among us, his legacy will continue to spread.