The African Writer

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 What's the role of the African writer in national and continental development? 

And what is his place in the society?

First of all, a writer doesn't owe his country any form of allegiance. And that's one thing people fail to understand. 

The African writer is expected to carry the banner of the continent like a cross or burden. Most times, this banner emphasizes poverty and the corruption in the continent.

There will never be a portrayal of Africa as a land of opportunities. So, you see African writers telling stories of war and hunger. Or stories with a bad ending.

For a writer, patriotism should be a form of moral obligation. There has been a history of writers who wrote against their country. It shouldn't be different for the African writer.

Secondly, I think it's high time we saw our writers beyond the scope of public figures and intellectuals. In America and Europe, writers attend high-profile events. 

However, in our continent, writers are treated like another set of people. Their influence lies only in public speaking events and academic circles. And this is because there is still this idea of duty and responsibility. Where the African writer has to write only for the growth of his continent and not himself.

I think it's high time we, as writers, choose ourselves. Take creative control of our stories and become the best any continent has seen.

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