Ghanaian author Nii Odoi Mensa Tutu Ani launches 'Amane Adesa: Of Monsters and Gods' to push African mythology into global spotlight

Ghanaian author Nii Odoi Mensa Tutu Ani has a message for his fellow citizens: stop letting Thor and Zeus run your imagination. At the launch of his new book, Amane Adesa: Of Monsters and Gods, he called on Ghanaians to reconnect with their own cultural roots through indigenous storytelling.

The book, published by Dade Krama Studios, isn't just fiction. Tutu Ani described it as a reimagining of humanity's future grounded in African mythology and identity. “We have reimagined who we are as a people and who we could become thousands of years into the future if we return to our roots, our stories and our narratives,” he said.

According to the author, the human story began in Africa, so its future should also be imagined from here. “A lot of Ghanaians love stories, but when you examine the stories they consume, many are imported from other cultures and perspectives,” he noted.

Tutu Ani argued that stories created by Africans for Africans leave a deeper and more lasting impact. He dismissed suggestions that the book came too late for readers already hooked on foreign literature. “Even those who have consumed other books will find something unique here—something truly their own that they can't find elsewhere in world literature,” he said.

He highlighted Africa's rich mythology, which remains largely underrepresented in mainstream storytelling. “I hear people talk about Thor and Zeus, but I can tell you that there are African gods and legendary figures that can stand proudly alongside any mythological characters in the world. Africans need to discover and embrace these stories,” he added.

The launch attracted prominent figures from Ghana's arts scene, including musician Amandzeba Nat Brew, actor Fred Amugi, media personality Kwaku Sintim-Misa, and voice artist Mawuli Sachey.

Dade Krama Studios, which organised the event, describes itself as a catalyst for preserving, redefining, and commercialising Ghanaian cultural heritage. As part of this mission, they have created a digital platform called Akrabaa: The Neem Under Which Our Stories Gather. The broader objective is to assign greater value to Ghana's history and storytelling traditions, unlock their commercial potential, and position them within the global creative economy—valued at hundreds of billions of dollars.

Tutu Ani also called for national unity through storytelling. “Whether you are Akan, Ga or from any other ethnic group, we are all Ghanaians. Each of us has unique stories to tell, and together those stories form one larger narrative, just as they do in Amane Adesa,” he said.

“We have reimagined who we are as a people and who we could become thousands of years into the future if we return to our roots, our stories and our narratives.” — Nii Odoi Mensa Tutu Ani

The book also aims to help international audiences understand African history, culture, and traditions. “For those outside Africa who want to understand who we are and what shapes us, they need to read Amane Adesa: Of Monsters and Gods,” Tutu Ani stated.