Ghanaian Writer calls out Amazon Publishing for unfair royalties payment policy towards African authors

At an event organised by the Love for Humanity Initiative to promote the culture of reading, Ghanaian writer Seyram Agbleze (author of Journey of West African Textile Traditions) spoke about the need to nurture a new generation of literature lovers. Also stating that the decline of interest in African literature stems from the lack of supportive structures that create a thriving ecosystem.

The sector lacks needed institutional support, and a lot of talented writers’ potential remain untapped because of this, prompting his appeal to the government in his address to invest in the sector to create opportunities. He further stressed the need for Africa to tell its own story or face the danger of having it told by others through their own lenses.

The lack of a proper publishing industry in Ghana and many other African countries has led more writers to explore other avenues, with some giving up on the writing profession altogether. He went on to say many African writers who also use Amazon publishing services are also faced with barriers that make it difficult to access their royalties: “I think it is high time Amazon Publishing takes a relook at its royalties payment policy which clearly makes royalties inaccessible to African authors on the basis of location. Many have complained about it. Some have their royalties stuck in the system for years. It is easy for them to take up the authors work on their platform but it is not easy for the authors to get the royalties for their work. This is synonymous to the African condition- we easily take from Africa but don’t give back in return. This discourages more content from African writers. African voices should be encouraged, their stories are unique and enrich the literature space. Amazon as a global player has a responsibility of accommodating marginalized voices in all aspects”.

Seyram Agbleze received a Thetis Blacker Award in 2019 for his book project from the prestigious Temenos Academy in London, which has King Charles III as its patron. His skill goes beyond writing, he is also a known textile artist. His book Journey of West African Textile Traditions, which was his first is considered a key resource on African textiles. An advocate for the preservation of African cultural heritage, that is why he wrote the book to highlight the significance of African textiles as a living testament of Africa’s cultural heritage. This project saw him travelling West Africa.

Today a Google search on the best writers on African textiles lists him as the only black writer on a list full of white writers. This is probably a clear reminder of the need for more African writers/voices in areas where no one else can be better positioned to tell the story than us. In the case of Europe you will find Europeans at the forefront telling their history but in Africa’s case it is mostly people outside Africa who rather tell its story, and by so doing decide its history. We live the story and are the story. Rise up and tell your story.