About us

Who we are

The Pan African Writers’ Association (PAWA), founded in November 1989, is a Ghana-based cultural institution “born in the larger crucible of Pan Africanism. It is an umbrella body of writers’ associations on the African continent and the Diaspora.

Our Mission: To strengthen the cultural and economic bonds between the people on the African continent against the background of the continent’s acknowledged diverse but rich cultural, political and economic heritage.

Historical Background

  • 1989

    PAWA was founded

    The Constituent Congress of PAWA was held at the Kwame Nkrumah Conference Centre, Accra, Ghana, from 7 to 11 November 1989 under the theme: "African Unity; A Liberation of the Mind". Representatives from more than 36 countries formally signed the Declaration and Constitution that led to the establishment of PAWA. PAWA now comprises of 52 national writers associations on the African continent.
    The position of Secretary General of PAWA was held by Professor Atukwei Okai from 1989 until his death in 2018.

  • 1992

    Secretariat Granted full Diplomatic Status

    In 1992 the Secretariat of PAWA, which is located in Accra's Roman Ridge neighbourhood,was granted full diplomatic status by the government of Ghana.

  • 2020

    Appointment of new Secretary General

    In 2020, Dr WALE OKEDIRAN took the reign as the new Secretary General of the organisation.