Prof. Kofi Awoonor Remembered Today as Kenya Marks 1 yr. of attack on Westgate Shopping Mall in Nairobi


Today marks the first anniversary of the death of an African poet, novelist and a political activist, Prof. Kofi Awoonor. Prof. Awooner, a former Chairman of the Council of State died on the 21st of September last year in an attack by the Alshabab militant group on the Westgate Shopping Mall in Nairobi, Kenya.

Pro. Awoonor was the most eminent of several African authors invited to participate in the Storymoja Hey festival, a celebration of writing and storytelling. 

As part of activities marking the first anniversary in his hometown,  Weta  in the Ketu North district of the Volta region, the Speaker of Parliament, Edward Doe Adzaho unveiled a Mausoleum in his respect.
 
He recounted his experience with the late Professor and urged all persons to emulate his thoughts and strive for excellence.
 
Present at the ceremony were delegation from the Presidency lead by the Chief of staff, Prosper Bani, the current Chairman of the Council of State, Madam Cecilia Johnson and a host of NDC gurus.

In a speech read on his behalf, the Paramount Chief of the area, Togbiga Ashiakpor described the late Prof. Awoonor as an astute intellectual who combined the traditions of his people, contemporary and religious symbolism to depict Africa during the decolonization.
 
He however, appealed to government to tar the road linking Weta junction to Metrikasa which has been the promise of the late Professor. 
Children of the late Professor have announced the setting up of an Education Endowment Fund to support brilliant but needy pupils in the area. 

In a related development, relatives of the dead, survivors and shop owners converged outside Westgate Mall in Nairobi on Sunday and lit candles in memory of those killed.

A memorial plaque with names of the victims was also unveiled in a separate ceremony at a forest on the edge of the city where people hike. Later, a candlelight vigil will be held at a museum.

It has been one year since four gunmen stormed the upscale Westgate Mall in Nairobi, killing 67 people and leaving the capital unsettled for days as militants battled with security and people trapped inside tried to flee the fighting.



GBC