Ghanaian writer romances Iseyin the second time

For the second time in two years, Ghanaian writer, Macdell Sackey, hibernates with his Nigerian counterparts at the Ebedi Residency Programme, Iseyin, Oyo State, writes AKEEM LASISI

Ghanaian writer, Macdell Sackey, is an Oliver Twist in his own right. Last year, he was in Nigeria where he participated in the Ebedi Residency Programme domiciled in Iseyin, Oyo State. This year, again, he has spent some months at the facility established by writer, politician and physician, Wale Okediran.

The second season, which he shared with his Nigerian writers, Chiaka Obasi and Taofeek Olayiwola, ended at the weekend when they had a session with pupils of Iseyin District Grammar School in the agrarian town in Oyo  north.

The 46-year-old Sackey never started writing poetry until 2003 but he seems to have sunk deeper into the poetic art. This, indeed, seems to have accounted for his urge to be in Ebedi the second time. According to him, he could not finish the manuscript he worked on during the first sojourn last year; hence, his decision to apply for a return. The writer, who described the residency environment as being conducive to writing, said by the end of his second visit, he had accomplished his mission.

 While the programme lasted, the writers had sessions with pupils of some schools in the area. This has been a major way in which the Iseyin people are benefiting from the Okediran’s  initiative as all the writers that have been part of it took time out to mentor the young ones.

In appreciation of such a gesture, IDGS pupils held a literary reception for the musing visitors.  The programme featured poetry recitation, drama and dance.  Among the pupils that participated are  Blessing Adewale, who recited a poem entitled Aye Omuti (The life of a Drunk),  and Deborah Rowland, who presented Ma fi Epe S’re – Don’t Play with a Curse.

The departing residents expressed satisfaction at the level of the pupils’ performances.

 “One could see that they are always ready to learn, and that was the same attitude they had during my first spell in Iseyin last year,” Sackey, who taught the pupils rudiments of poetry, noted.

Obasi and Olayiwola noted that their stay in Iseyin was also rewarding. But something unique about their tenure is that the two were able to forge a collaboration, with Obasi agreeing to translate Olayiwola’s Clash of Wheels into Igbo