Samira Bawumia Literature Prize Announces Call for Entries for 2025 Edition

The Samira Bawumia Literature competition is welcoming applications from the general public for the third edition of the biennial writing competition, the NGO of the former Second Lady announced.

The application opened on May 15 and will close on June 21, 2025.

The prize, which is organised under the Samira Empowerment & Humanitarian Projects, provides valuable grooming through tailored workshops and exposure through the publication of selected works in anthologies.

The initiative is dedicated to identifying, nurturing, and crucially, providing a pathway to publication for talented young Ghanaian writers.

The Samira Bawumia Literature Prize seeks to promote African literature written by African voices for young African readers, promoting a robust literary culture that builds identity, inspires curiosity, and celebrates the rich African culture.

It also presents a unique opportunity for participants to become published authors with selected entries from each edition compiled and published in a widely-acclaimed anthology, providing invaluable exposure for emerging writers.

Beyond the opportunity for publication, attractive prizes will be awarded to the top-performing writers. First place winners will be awarded laptops and cash prizes of GHS 5000.00; GHS 3000.00 for second place winners; and GHS 2000.00 for third placed winners.

Writers who place from 4th to 10th in each category will receive GHS 1000.00. Additionally, all top thirty (30) shortlisted entries across categories will be published in the anthology.

“For the 2025 edition, we invite you to engage with the captivating theme, ‘Reimagine Africa’s Folktales for the Next Generation’. We are seeking original and compelling creative works that will resonate with young Ghanaian readers, beginning from age 9 to 15.”

Submissions should creatively explore the theme by:
● Retelling African myths and folktales.
● Exploring and celebrating traditional symbols.
● Using storytelling to inspire environmental responsibility and climate action.
● Creating African Heroes and Heroines as role models for Ghanaian children and youth.
● Eligibility: The competition is open to Ghanaian citizens between the ages of 15 and 30 years.
Submission Guidelines:
● Word Count: Entries must be between 1,000 and 1,500 words.
● Genres: Submissions are accepted in Fiction, Non-fiction, and Poetry.
● Entry Limit: Each individual may submit one entry. For the poetry category, up to three poems will be considered as a single submission.
● Submission Status: Works must not be published at the time of submission.
Submission Portal: Entries can be submitted electronically through the SBLP website: www.sehp.sbawumia.org.