RENOWNED GHANAIAN POET KOFI AWOONOR KILLED IN KENYA MALL ATTACK

AFP- Renowned Ghanaian poet and statesman Kofi Awoornor was among the people confirmed dead in an attack by Somali Islamist militants on a Nairobi shopping mall, Ghana President said on Sunday.
John Dramani Mahama said in a statement. "I am shocked to hear of the death of Prof. Kofi Awoonor in Narobi mall terrorist attack. Such a sad twist of fate...."
Awoonor 78, was killed while shopping with his son in the Westgate mall, Ghana Deputy's  Information  Minister Felix Kwakwe Ofosu said.
"His son was injured and has been discharged from the hospital.," he said. Awoonor has been due to appear at the Storymoja Hay Literary festival in Narobi on Saturday.

BRIEF LIFE HISTORY OF AWOONOR
Ghana representative to the United Nation under the umbrella of President Jerry Rawlings from 1990-1994, he was also the president to the Council of State, an advisory body to the President. He step down from this role early this year.
 A renowned writer notable for his writing and his poetry is inspired by the 'Ewe' people where he came from.
His books included "Rediscovery and other Poems," published in 1964
He returned from exile in 1975 after he escaped on a coup of his friend who was the then president of Ghana by name Kwame Nkrumah, was overthrown. He was later arrested for his allegedly involvement in a coup and was released 10-months later. During his imprisonment he was inspired to write a book "The House by the Sea."
During his time in the United State in the early 1970's he was the Chairman of the Department of Comparative Literature at the State University of New York at Stony Brook.
He was also Ghana's Ambassador to Brazil and Cuba in 1980.
May the good Lord accept his gentle soul into His bosom.