Renowned Ghanaian poet, writer, and art collector, Abena Pokua Adompim Busia, has shared a fascinating and deeply personal story about how her poetry first saw the light of publication, thanks to legendary Nigerian novelist and poet, Chinua Achebe.

In an interview on The Chat on Channel One TV, the former diplomat recounted how an unexpected encounter at an art exhibition in Manhattan, New York, led to a conversation that would shape the trajectory of her literary career.

According to Abena Busia, Achebe—one of Africa’s most celebrated literary figures—was the first person to formally publish her poetry.

Abena Busia recalled that she had attended a friend’s art exhibition in Manhattan, hoping to appreciate the artwork and perhaps find a piece she could take home.

However, what she didn’t anticipate was meeting one of the greatest writers of the African literary canon—Chinua Achebe—whose seminal works, including Things Fall Apart, had shaped African storytelling for generations.

“I went to my friend’s art show in Manhattan and a lot of amazing things happened that day. I was looking at a wonderful lithograph when this familiar voice came and spoke over my shoulder and the voice was Chinua Achebe and it is the day I met him who was the first person to publish my poetry.

“He asked for it that day. We had a conversation and he asked me to send him my poetry that day and I met him looking at the first art piece I ever bought. I really couldn’t afford that piece but I really wanted it and it was $250 and this was 40 years ago.”