Celebrating African Strength: Ishmael Junior Launches New Novel

 

Ladma, Abandoned African Slave on October 26, 2024, acclaimed Ghanaian author Ishmael Junior launched his third novel, Ladma, Abandoned African Slave, a powerful story that highlights African resilience and challenges stereotypes around the slave trade era. 

Reflecting on his journey, Junior shared, “Yes, I’m Ishmael Junior, a novelist. So far, I have three novels to my credit… Ladma, Abandoned African Slave, which is my new book, launched today.” The book, which took over two and a half years to complete, attracted an unexpectedly large crowd, 

validating what Junior sees as a growing interest in African narratives. “I didn’t even anticipate getting these numbers,” he said. “It’s a big encouragement… 

The African narrative, especially literature about us, is growing.”Ladma tells the story of a strong African who resists slavery and refuses to adopt foreign lifestyles, aiming to showcase the spirit of resistance among Africans.

“What inspired me to write Ladma is the idea of a strong African who cannot be bought… Ladma says, ‘I’m a proud African, and I can make it here,’” 

Junior explained.Beyond the story, Junior’s work tackles pressing social themes, like the cultural erosion from Westernization and the environmental harm from illegal mining ( galamsey ). 

“In African folklore, even a tree could speak to a human being.he stated.

 

Humanity and the environment are one. But when you hurt nature, like we’re doing with galamsey, you can’t expect anything better to happen.”Ultimately, Junior’s novel is a call for Africans to reclaim cultural pride, emphasizing that “you cannot solve problems of Africa with European solutions.

Through Ladma, Junior hopes to inspire a renewed appreciation for Africa’s heritage and self-reliance, a message that he believes resonates strongly today

Reported By Azaglo fiakofi Michael.