Dall-E generated Futuristic Afrocentric Ghana Cityscape for Awam

If you asked me about speculative fiction writers from Ghana, I’d argue that all Ghanaian writers are in-fact, speculative fiction writers.

But once I start to break it down, I realize, that just translates into fantasy writers and boy are they a dime a dozen. That’s probably because of all the Nollywood we grew up with, or really, it’s just our intrinsic superstitious nature that lends itself to this.

But that’s not what I’m after. Instead, I yearn for writers who’ll take me on wild adventures across the vast expanse of space, writers who’ll imagine the tech of tomorrow, writers who’ll show me worlds I could never imagine, worlds Nollywood wouldn’t imagine, worlds that can probably only come to life in animation. I want horror, I want gore, I seek writers who’ll take me on a rollercoaster of awe, emotions, and exhillirating adventures.

When I think of this, one name usually comes to mind, Kofi Nyameye. Then there’s three other names, Ivana Akotowaa Ofori, Emmanuel Blavo and Samuel Ansah-Amprofi (Everyday Gladiator). Outside of them, I could probably mention two other names after some thinking and that’s it.

So like my title says, where are the speculative fiction writers in Ghana?

I did some Googling and came across some names. Surprisingly, some of these are names I’m familiar with (but don’t readily come to mind). To make it easy for everyone, I’ll include the names I already mentioned along with those I find.

Some Ghanaian Speculative Fiction Writers

Kojo Laing

I doubt anyone will be opposed to me calling the late Kojo Laing (1946–2017) the godfather of Ghanaian speculative fiction.

Laing has been read, in academia, as having indigenized “jujutech—a hybrid of science fiction and African folk traditions.”

Aidoo Centre for Creative Writing

He was a pioneering Ghanaian novelist and poet celebrated for his groundbreaking contributions to African speculative fiction and literary innovation. Known for his lyrical prose and inventive use of language, Laing’s works, such as Search Sweet Country and Woman of the Aeroplanes, blend surrealism, magical realism, and social critique.

His stories often defied convention, weaving the fantastical with deeply human themes, and his unique narrative style positioned him as a literary maverick in both African and global literature. Laing’s legacy continues to inspire writers and readers drawn to boundary-pushing storytelling.

Two of his books hold our interest the most at Awam, namely Major Gentl and Achimota Wars and Big Bishop Roko and the Altar Gangsters.

Major Gentl and Achimota Wars (1992)

Major Gentl and the Achimota Wars is masterfully blends science fiction, ecology, and surrealism. Set in a reborn Africa in 2020, the novel tells the story of a high-stakes conflict between Major Gentl and Torro the Terrible for control of Achimota City and the continent’s future. This “total war” enlists mutant creatures—birds, insects, fruits, and vegetables—alongside humans, all fighting for the right to shape the future. With unconventional battle rules, like armies restricted in size and fighters only allowed to shoot into the ground, Laing’s imaginative narrative explores themes of futurism, ecological transformation, and Africa’s evolving destiny.

Learn more about this book on Goodreads.

Big Bishop Roko and the Altar Gangsters (2006)

Kojo Laing’s Big Bishop Roko and the Altar Gangsters is a bold work of speculative fiction, blending dark humor and surrealism. Anglican Bishop Roko’s genetic experiments with sharks aim to reshape humanity, unlocking hidden cultural and divine truths, while a boxing-obsessed Pope and a powerless Archbishop of Canterbury grapple with the ethical chaos his actions unleash. Laing’s vision blurs the boundaries between science, faith, and a fractured global order, crafting a world teetering on the edge of transformation and conflict.

Learn more about this book on Goodreads.

PS: Most of the info we scraped together was largely thanks to the Ama Atta Aidoo Centre for Creative Excellence's profile on Kojo Laing. 

Ivanna Akotowaa Ofori

Akotowaa’s debut novella

Ivana Akotowaa Ofori, known as “The Spider Kid,” is a Ghanaian storyteller renowned for her versatility in fiction, non-fiction, and spoken-word poetry. Her debut novella, The Year of Return (2024), has been published by Android Press in the U.S. and Smartline Publishers in West Africa. Akotowaa’s work has been featured in anthologies such as Africa Risen and Daring Shifts, and in online magazines like Jalada Africa and AFREADA. She has been nominated and shortlisted for various awards, including the Nommo Awards, highlighting her significant contributions to African speculative fiction. Beyond writing, she is passionate about the color purple (you’ll best understand when you meet her) and often incorporates it into her personal and professional life.

Check out her blog to get into her spiderly brain.

Kofi Nyameye

Asimov’s Science Fiction anthology featuring work by Kofi Nyameye

Kofi Nyameye is a Ghanaian speculative fiction writer whose works have appeared in Asimov’s Science Fiction Magazine, The Manchester Review, and Science Fiction World. Known for blending speculative elements with deep psychological insights, his storytelling often explores human nature and moral dilemmas. Influenced by authors like Stephen King and Neil Gaiman, Nyameye’s story “The Lights Go Out One by One” was longlisted for the 2020 Nommo Awards, cementing his place in African speculative fiction. Based in Accra, he continues to craft thought-provoking narratives that push the boundaries of imagination.

Boakyewaa Glover

Tendai by Boakyewaa Glover

Boakyewaa Glover is a Ghanaian author celebrated for her speculative fiction works, including the science fiction novel Tendai and the political thriller The Justice. With a knack for weaving imaginative and thought-provoking narratives, her stories often explore complex themes and dynamic characters. Boakyewaa’s writing showcases her strength in blending creativity with realism, solidifying her as a standout voice in speculative fiction from Africa.

Jacob A. Osae

Jacob A. Osae is a Ghanaian author, poet, and screenwriter specializing in science fiction and fantasy. A graduate of the University of Ghana with a degree in Physics, he honed his creative writing skills through the Writers Project of Ghana Creative Writing Café. Osae has published works including Oaks of Definition (2016), A Walking Rainbow (2019), The Raven (2020), and DNA: Trilogy (2023). His short story “Iron Boy” was featured in the Larabanga: Short Stories from the Savannah anthology by the Ama Ata Aidoo Center for Creative Writing.

Osae is also the founder of TEAM VOLVOX, a creative writing group at the University of Ghana, and has contributed articles to platforms like Medium and GhScientific. His novel The Raven is noted as one of the first Ghanaian science fiction and fantasy novels published domestically, marking a significant contribution to the genre’s development in the country

Emmanuel Blavo

Emmanuel Blavo is a Ghanaian author and law graduate from Central University, holding a Bachelor’s degree in Law (LLB). His work is featured in the anthology Anansi: New & Ancient African Tales, where he reimagines African folklore with a modern twist. Passionate about storytelling, Emmanuel channels his creativity into writing short stories, drawing, and exploring lesser-known historical narratives. He is an advocate for African speculative fiction, leveraging his skills to craft imaginative and thought-provoking tales that resonate with diverse audiences.

Read Emmanuel Blavo’s stories on Awam.

Martin Egbelewogbe

Mary Eshun

Kwasi Adi-Dako

Kwasi Adi-Dako is a Ghanaian writer and learning experience designer based in Accra. He is particularly interested in the intersections of African histories and imagined futures, exploring these themes through science fiction and role-playing games. In his writing, Adi-Dako delves into speculative fiction, addressing complex themes of identity, transformation, and post-colonial African futures. His works, such as Dust and Don’t Fall Asleep, blend elements of science fiction, magical realism, and social commentary to create vivid narratives that challenge perceptions of reality and time.

His works, Dust and Don’t Fall Asleep have appeared in Omenana as well as the Journal of the Writers Project of Ghana respectively.

Jonathan Dotse

Kwabena Ankomah-Kwakye

Samuel Ansah-Amprofi

Nana Kwame Antwi-Bosiako

I initially only had 9 names, but after more research, this has increased to 12. I reckon we’d get even more once we explore the deepest recesses of the internet. Mayfair and I will keep searching until we can discover way more and let the world know what we’ve got going for us in Ghana. 😊

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