Where Have All The Great Writers Gone?

An old photo with the great writer and journalist, left, Mr. George Sydney Abugri and right, writer Joel Savage

Talent is indispensable and in the field of writing one carves his name in different ways. Without talent, there is no writer and it is necessary to discipline it and cultivate it with hard work.

You have to look for your own style of writing which people will admire, like and read. Many often writers fail because they think of themselves, instead of finding the audience. Writers often fail because they don’t have a group or people to target.

Standing with the truth, patience, and humbleness, a writer will always excel, no matter the impediments along the path. In summary, to become a good writer the genetic heritage is an irreplaceable but not sufficient necessity.

Journalism is always forced to reinvent itself and has always done so in the face of changes in the economic, legal, technological and cultural context. Re-invention and experimentation are the only constants in the history of journalism.

The so-called golden age of newspapers in the second half of the twentieth century is actually the story of a long commercial decline. The television and internet have made things worse for the print newspapers today,

Even though the birth of the internet has led to the decline of the print media, the demand for information indeed remains strong and growing.

Very often writers appear on the scene and after a number of years, they retire and disappear. Even though some of these great writers are engaged in different professions, some prefer having a peaceful life than making their voice heard in this chaotic troubled Ghana.

Apart from my father, whose experience in journalism tremendously influenced me, there are also special people in my life, whose work and association with them shaped my life practically and psychologically in the field of writing.

Mr. Kofi Badu, once the managing director, of the Daily Graphic, Mr. Elvis Aryeh, the former editor of the Daily Graphic, the columnist, Mr. Frankie Asare-Donkoh, Ajoa Yeboah-Afari, Mr. Yaw Boadu-Ayeboafoh, Mr. Willie Donkor, Weekly Spectator, Mr. George Sydney Abugri, etc. Where have all the great writers gone?

Ghana has been a great peaceful country in the past and the happiness of most Ghanaians depend on what they read in the newspapers. These writers sacrificed their entire lives to serve the Ghana media in a way that no period of journalism can be compared to their time today.

Being a journalist in Ghana at the moment is now a threat because authorities don’t want to be exposed. Thus, what journalism is going through in Ghana is a disaster.

New players have entered the field and the social media have changed the scenario forever but the message in true journalism will always remain the same. No one can fight it.

Until we depart from the media scene like those great writers, we need to work hard based on truth to protect our integrity.

Instead of putting the blame on others for the destruction of Ghana, we must work together to restore our nation’s dignity.