causes:

I am greatly troubled by the troubles of Africa. I have been all my life. I grew up with tales of war in Angola ringing in my ears. I was weaned on Bob Marley and Eldridge Cleaver... I grew up militant. But at some point armed struggle must give way to nation building. In many African countries it seems the pin got stuck in the record. I cannot bear injustice, but I do not believe violence is always the way forward.

I am keen to engage in discussions that will yield practical solutions to the problems of Africa. I am ready to contribute mentally and physically to any efforts that go beyond just talking (as is often the case), and I continue to work in small ways to help dredge the greatness from the garbage pile we seem to be building. And if the world won't help us, let us help ourselves. This is my question to the old "blame someone else" school of thought; If someone pushes you in a gutter and refuses to pull you out, will you sleep in the gutter? Get up and chase the idiot! I rest my case...

HIV and AIDS are big issues for me and I am always available to support any charities or benefits supporting the control of these conditions and the care of their victims.

I make calls for justice in my poetry performances around the world and I hope my message gets across. It is my belief that if we are not silent, we will find ears to hear, hands to help and minds to seed, and solutions will be found. I always cite the example of domestic violence. Too many people have kept mute about it for too long, and many have died in silent pain having lived their entire lives riddled with fear. Although, I grew up in a harmonious house, I saw what other families had to go through and we should not stand for it. One of the many times I have cried as an adult was when I had to tell my friend Guy (false name) from Guadeloupe that I could no longer be his friend when I found out he regularly hit his girlfriend. My point is, don't not take action because it might hurt you.

If we don't stand for what we believe in, we can never create the world we dream of!

The charities I have supported are: The Ghana Heart Foundation, The British Heart Foundation, and Body & Soul - UK(for HIV/AIDS) and you can help feed the unfortunate by visiting the hunger site. Just click the button on the welcome page and a life is saved.

I am currently at work on the writers' fund initiative for Ghanaian writers - if you feel you can help in any way, please do.