Paul Alfred Kwesi Aboagye: His Life, Works and Legacies

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Paul Alfred Kwesi Aboagye, born on 5 January 1925 and passing away on 19 June 2001, was a Ghanaian poet, essayist, novelist, and historian known for his work in the Nzema language.

Born to the late Tufuhene Koame Aboagye of Nuba and Madam Mary Bozomah Gyedu of Ebonloa in the Jomoro district of the Nzema people of Ghana, Paul Alfred Kwesi Aboagye began his elementary education in Beyin on 5 February 1934 and finished middle school in 1942. After a year as a pupil teacher at Half Assini Roman Catholic Church school, he attended St. Augustine's College, graduating with a teacher's certificate 'A'.

Starting his teaching career at Half Assini Roman Catholic Church school, he later taught at Bonyere Roman Catholic Church school, where he became a headteacher after two and a half years. He also served as a headteacher in Beyin and Axim. In September 1957, he transitioned to the civil service of Ghana, working as an Assistant for Nzema publications and the Nzema newspaper "Kakyevolɛ" at the Bureau of Ghana Languages. He was appointed honorary general secretary of the Nzema Literature and Culture Association, a position he held for 27 years before becoming its lifetime general secretary.

A notable achievement was his role as the pioneer Nzema language newscaster on Radio Ghana when the Nzema language was introduced into the programs of the Ghana Broadcasting Corporation in 1960. He retired from the Ghana civil service in 1981 as deputy Director of the Bureau of Ghana Languages. He was also active in community leadership, serving as the President of the Accra/Tema Nzema Association, head of the Ahwea clan, and chairman of the Tawiafio Residents Association, where he mediated conflicts using traditional Nzema cultural values, saving many troubled marriages.

Paul Alfred Kwesi Aboagye authored several books, including dictionaries, historical accounts, and novels, and he contributed to the translation of the Bible into Nzema. His posthumous work, 'My Wife's Ghost,' nearing completion at the time of writing, explores the possession of his second wife by the ghost of his first wife who died giving birth.

His accolades include the Ghana Book and Development Council Award in 1978 and being named a UNESCO fellow in 1962. He was also honored as the Life General Secretary of the Nzema Literature and Culture Association.