- Date: Sept. 1 - 3, 2016
- Venue: National Taitung Living Arts Center
- Address: No. 254 Datong Rd., Taitung City, Taiwan (ROC)
- Site: www.ttcsec.gov.tw
Ghanaian editor Akoss Ofori-Mensah introduced elements of African culture and literature at a book launch for illustrated stories by noted children's author Meshack Asare in the Taiwanese eastern cities of Hualien and Taitung this September.
Following a three-day flight to Taiwan, Ofori-Mensah attended a book-launching party for the Chinese and electronic editions of Asare's books, as well as literary forums featuring the history and culture of western Africa.
Ghana's Asare is an award-winning author who writes and illustrates children's books. Several of his books, such as "Tawia Goes to Sea,” "Sosu's Call,” and "The Brassman's Secret,” have been translated into many languages. "Sosu's Call,” in particular, received critical acclaim and won the 1999 UNESCO First Prize for Children's and Young People's Literature in the Service of Tolerance.
Ofori-Mensah is the managing director of Sub-Saharan Publishers in Ghana. Before entering the publishing industry, Ofori-Mensah studied in the UK and US, and served an internship at the United Nations.
Ofori-Mensah returned to Ghana in 1976 and established her own publishing house in 1993. As a friend of Asare, she published "Sosu's Call” and all of his following books. She noted that her goal is to introduce stories of African children and youths to the world.
The Sept. 1 - 3 events were hosted by the National Taitung Living Art Center and the Tianbu Art and Culture Foundation based in Hualien. The latter also helped to translate several of Asare's books into Amis, Indonesian, and sign language.
Akoss Ofori-Mensah, Ghanaian editor and publisher.
She made it possible for illustrated stories by noted children's author Meshack Asare to be released in Chinese and Amis editions.