Ama Ata Aidoo Quotes

For us Africans, literature must serve a purpose: to expose, embarrass, and fight corruption and authoritarianism. It is understandable why the African artist is utilitarian.

Humans, not places, make memories.

There are powerful forces undermining progress in Africa. But one must never underestimate the power of the people to bring about change.

Time by itself means nothing, no matter how fast it moves, unless we give it something to carry for us; something we value. Because it is such a precious vehicle, is time.

People are worms, and even the God who created them is immensely bored with their antics.

No matter what anybody says, we can't have it all. Not if you are a woman. Not yet.

the best way to sharpen a knife is not to whet one side of it only. And neither can you solve a riddle by considering only one end of it.

Ghana is like a lion without a head

They had always told me that I wrote like a man.

Politicians are easy to attack, but frankly, we are all guilty of not meeting the needs of Africa's young people properly.

Once in a while I catch myself wondering whether I would have found the courage to write if I had not started to write when I was too young to know what was good for me.

At the age of 15, a teacher had asked me what I wanted to do for a career, and without knowing why or even how I replied that I wanted to be a poet.

Its a sad moment, really, when parents first become a bit frightened of their children.

Things are working out... towards their dazzling conclusions.

Once an interesting idea or theme occurs to me then I would want to write a poem about it. The rest, frankly, is not difficult.

The very old certainly do not go back on lunch remains but they do bite back at old conversational topics.

I've written poems about gifts. Life is inspirational; sometimes it comes from the most unlikely places.

I always wanted to write poetry, even when I was very young.

Sometimes a word or an argument will trigger a poem.

It's a sad moment, really, when parents first become a bit frightened of their children.

We are victims of our history and our present. They place too many obstacles in the way of love. And we cannot enjoy even our differences in peace.

And yet, I have not wronged you, have I? Indeed if there is anyone I may have sinned against, it is me. That desiring you as I do, needing you as I do, I still let you go.

Yes.Work is love made visible.