The Samira Empowerment and Humanitarian Project (SEHP) has officially announced the call for entries for the 2025 edition of the Samira Bawumia Literature Prize (SBLP), inviting young Ghanaian writers to submit original works.

A press statement issued by the SEHP said the competition was open to Ghanaian citizens between the ages of 15 and 30, with submissions being original and compelling and resonating with young Ghanaian readers from age 9.

It said entries should be in fiction, non-fiction and poetry, with a word count between 1,000 and 1,500 words. Poets can also submit up to three poems as one entry.

All submissions must be unpublished and original.

Participants, it said, were encouraged to fully explore the 2025 theme by drawing on Africa’s rich oral traditions and cultural heritage in imaginative ways.

“Participants have been encouraged to engage the theme: “Reimagine Africa’s Folktales for the Next Generation” to creatively retell African myths and folktales, explore and celebrate traditional symbols, using storytelling to inspire environmental responsibility and climate action, creating African heroes and heroines as role models for Ghanaian children and youth,” the statement said.

Beyond the opportunity for publication, first-place winners will receive laptops and cash prizes. GH¢5,000 for first place, GH¢3,000 for second and GH¢2,000 for third.

Writers who place fourth to 10th in each category will receive GH¢1,000 and the top 30 shortlisted entries will be published in the official SBLP anthology.

Portal

The submission portal, it said, opened on Thursday, May 15, 2025 and would close on Saturday, June 21, 2025, adding that entries must be submitted electronically via the official website: www.sehp.sbawumia.org.

Launched in 2020 under the leadership of Ghana’s former Second Lady, Samira Bawumia, the Samira Bawumia Literature Prize aims to promote African literature written by Africans for young African readers.

It also seeks to foster a robust literary culture that builds identity, inspires curiosity and celebrates Ghana’s rich cultural heritage.

The initiative has already produced two anthologies: All Ghana a Stage, featuring selected entries from the maiden edition and the most recent, We move, Ghanaian Dream in motion, released in November 2024.

For enquiries, interesting persons are required to contact sblp@sbawumia.org or call 0533603835.

They can also follow the prize on social media:Twitter: @thesblprizeFacebook: Samira Bawumia Literature PrizeInstagram: @sb_literatureprize