In a bold step toward strengthening Ghana’s literary ecosystem, Krodua Publishing Agency, a woman-led digital publishing platform, has successfully delivered its inaugural Creative Writing Intensive and Residency Programme, with grant support from the British Council.

The initiative is designed to amplify under-represented African voices while creating sustainable pathways to publication.

Founded by Julianna Asamoa-Krodua, Krodua Publishing Agency is committed to nurturing new and diverse storytellers across the African continent. The programme reflects a growing movement to reposition African narratives within global publishing, while equipping writers with the skills, confidence, and ownership needed to tell their stories effectively.

Held in Accra from April 13–18, 2026, the five-day Creative Writing Intensive brought together emerging writers for an immersive learning experience. Sessions covered key areas of contemporary storytelling and the publishing industry, including publishing pathways, intellectual property, audiobooks, writing for film and television, and poetry.

Participants also benefited from the expertise of leading industry professionals, who shared both creative guidance and practical insights into today’s evolving literary landscape.

The initiative was fully funded through the Festival Connect Fund by the British Council Ghana, with additional support from the Basecamp Initiative, whose green and collaborative co-working space in East Legon hosted the programme.

Speaking on the vision behind the intensive, Asamoa-Krodua explained that the programme was inspired by her participation in the International Publishing Fellowship 2025 in London, organised by FutureBook. There, she engaged with global publishing leaders and explored innovative, sustainable models for writer development and literary programming.

“Participating in the fellowship exposed me to models that support writers beyond inspiration—models that prioritise structure, access, and long-term development. The Creative Writing Intensive is my way of localising those insights and building something sustainable for African writers,” she said.

A major highlight of the initiative is its six-week writing residency, which selects outstanding participants to further develop their projects under structured mentorship. The residency is designed to help writers move from idea to execution, with the goal of completing and preparing manuscripts for publication.
Participants have described the programme as both transformative and practical.

“Thank you for organising such a thoughtful and enriching intensive. I learned a great deal, especially around plot development and delivery. The sessions gave me a clearer sense of how to shape my work with intention, and I’ve already started applying those lessons. I would gladly take part in another intensive if given the opportunity,” said Yvonne Aore.

“Thank you for the opportunity as well, Julianna. The sessions were eye-opening and extremely helpful,” added Dr. Thelma Frimpong Mensah.

Beyond skills development, participants will also contribute to a curated online anthology, extending visibility and creating publication opportunities for emerging writers.

As a woman-led initiative, Krodua Publishing Agency continues to position itself at the forefront of literary innovation in Ghana—combining digital publishing, mentorship, and community-building to create meaningful opportunities for writers who might otherwise remain unheard.

With growing interest from participants and stakeholders alike, the Creative Writing Intensive and Residency Programme signals a promising future for Ghana’s literary landscape—one in which African stories are not only told but also intentionally supported, refined, and shared with the world.