Accra, Ghana-based Pan African Writers Association (PAWA) has a new Interim Council to oversee its affairs.
The new Council, comprising six members, was appointed after the Interim President of the former PAWA Council and pioneer Vice President, West Africa, Professor Femi Osofisan resigned.
In his resignation letter of January 22, 2021, Professor Osofisan dissolved the old PAWA Council and the ad hoc Steering Committee.
Curiously, PAWA has been governed by the same Council for several years because of the Association’s inability to hold a congress due to financial and logistics constraints.
For this reason, the old Council directed Secretary-General of PAWA, Dr Wale Okediran to organize a proper Continent-wide Congress during which elective positions will be conducted.
After due consultations with PAWA country members, new appointments were made to the new PAWA Interim Council.
Rwanda’s John Rusimbi is President, Sudan’s Dr Omar Gaddour is Vice President, North Africa and Kenya’s Professor Egara Kabaji is Vice President, East Africa.
Togo’s Professor Koumeato Anate was appointed Vice President West Africa, South Africa’s Dr Lebogang Nawa also a Vice President is the region’s representative on the Council. Madam Imelda Ayingono from Equatorial Guinea is Vice President, Central Africa.
Diasporan vice president’s outstanding position, PAWA Secretary-General, Dr Wale Okediran disclosed, would be announced soon.
Commenting further on the appointments, Okediran said, “On behalf of African writers, I wish to thank members of the erstwhile PAWA Council and the Steering Committee for their meritorious service to the organization. The Association will continue to be grateful for their immense labour of love. I also look forward to working with the Interim Council in our effort to re-strategize PAWA in line with the dreams and aspirations of its founding fathers. “