Frederick Owusu Nyarko, also known as Ancestral Poet, has become the first Ghanaian and African poet to win a USA-based national spoken word event in Chicago, according to source Emmanuel Jewel Peprah Mensah.
He beat competition in September from contenders across the African continent to be named the International Spoken Word Artiste of the Year in the National Spoken Word Awards.
The winning spoken word piece came from his single ‘Obibini’, which calls for all Black people to come back home to Africa in the Twi language of Ghana.
‘Obibini’ is the first single from Ancestral Poet’s upcoming second studio album ‘Onyame Tumtum’.
The Awards is organised by Blaq Ice Productions. According to Emmanuel, the Awards, was created to honour American and international spoken word artists who have made an impact in society.
On winning the award, Ancestral Poet said: “It is a sign of acceptance by the world how beautiful our culture, language and history have impact on other people’s lives. It was an amazing feeling and I feel so proud of myself for what I’ve achieved.
"I thank all my fans around the world for voting for me. It is important to use your voice; you will never know what changes you can make until you try.”
Ancestral Poet is Ghana’s cultural ambassador at the National Commission on Culture Ghana, the executive director of Ancestral Foundation and a teacher at the University of Cape Coast.