**Congratulations poet!! Can your tell us your name and brief educational background?
Agyei Sarpong-Kumankoma Amos,19 years. My basic education was at Sacred Heart and progressed to St James Seminary (both in Sunyani).
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** Ever dreamt of becoming a poet? And how far has the journey fared with poetry?
I never thought of poetry until I–out of envy–stole two poetry anthologies from a friend. Reading them made me hate poetry for I couldn’t understand what I read! Just as I was about giving up I encountered Ifeanyi Menkiti’s “The Fact Of The Matter.” Then I said to myself “I can be a poet”
I think I am still warming up for the journey. There’s a long way to go
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** Poet Sarpong, what has been your inspiration in writing poetry?
I am inspired by people and I believe it’s God working through them.
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** Why not any other genre of writing but poetry?
I was born to create. Poetry really exploits the creative lad in me but I write short stories and draw as swell
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** Were you expecting to win any of this noble honorary awards?
I never expected at this stage I call warm-up but this has really strengthened me for the journey ahead
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** How far has poetry transformed your life and perception?
Through poetry I have met a lot of new people. Poetry has boosted my confidence and there has been a enhancement in my human relations skills as I was initially the quiet type.
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** Does poetry in our part of the world (Africa) get enough support?
I don’t know of other countries but for Ghana, the mentorship support is hundred percent, the older poets help to nurture young talents. A few other individuals too sacrifice their resources to help poets. With regards to government’s support I’m yet to see any.
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** How best has social media boost your poetry writings?
I have learnt a lot from other poets on social media platforms. As the readership gets larger and larger my desire to improve and feed my fans with good poetry increases so I write more
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** What have been some of the challenges so far with you as a poet?
Getting the platform and the audience is a challenge here. Sunyani has not embraced poetry yet
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** What comments can you make to those who have supported you to this far?
I assure them I won’t ever disappoint them. May God bless them and I love them all. especially my Asaase Yaa, Mama Lucy Peprah Tawiah.
