Contents
Ama Ata Aidoo
Writing The Dilemma of a Ghost and Changes, exploring African women’s lives.
The Dilemma of a Ghost · Our Sister Killjoy
- Born
- March 1942
- Birthplace
- Abeadzi Kyiakor, Ghana
- Died
- 31 May 2023
More people
Ama Ata Aidoo
Ghanaian novelist, playwright and poet whose work examines independence, migration and women’s freedom.
Early life
Family and education
Grew up in a Fante community where her father supported local schooling.
Literary study
Attended Wesley Girls’ School and studied English at the University of Ghana.
Career
- 1960s
Writing and teaching
Published her first play and developed an academic career.
- 1982–1980s
Education and migration
Served briefly in Ghana’s education ministry before living and working in Zimbabwe.
- 1990s–2000s
Writing and advocacy
Continued publishing and supported African women writers.
Selected work
The Dilemma of a Ghost
A play about marriage, return migration and cultural expectations.
Our Sister Killjoy
An experimental account of a Ghanaian woman’s experience in Europe.
Changes
A novel examining love, marriage and the choices available to professional women.
Beyond work
Mbaasem Foundation
Established a foundation to support African women’s writing.
Public commitments
Spoke strongly for women’s autonomy and African cultural and political self-determination.
Sources & photo credit
Biography and references ↗Biography and contributions ↗Photo: RUTV Journalism Rhodes University. CC BY 3.0 · Original image. Cropped and displayed in monochrome.
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