The Steering Committee of the Pan African Writers’ Association (PAWA) has called on African writers and writers of African descent to continue to wield literature as a weapon of development.
It said African writers must redouble their efforts to be at the forefront of the struggle for African unity and common purpose.
This should be done in addition to fighting for peace, enhanced and inclusive governance, human rights, and social justice for Africans everywhere.
The Committee said this in a statement to celebrate the 25th International African Writers’ Day, which falls on November 7, to salute all African writers and writers of African descent.
The Day, set aside by the African Union, also marks the founding of PAWA on November 7, 1989.
The statement reminded writers and their associations that the mission of PAWA, boldly articulated on its founding, is; “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.”
“It is the expectation of the Continent that its writers will continue to uphold this message,” the statement said.
