Prof Cherno Omar Barry of The Gambia to Represent West Africa –

By: Haruna Kuyateh

The Pan-African Writers Association (PAWA) has concluded its 2025 General Assembly with the election of a new Council to steer the organization’s affairs for the next three years. Among the newly elected leaders is Professor Cherno Omar Barry of The Gambia, who was declared Vice President for West Africa following an uncontested nomination.

Prof Barry, a literary scholar and cultural policy expert, currently serves as President of the Writers Association of The Gambia (WAG). His appointment to PAWA’s continental executive body is seen as a major win for West Africa’s literary and intellectual community, given his extensive experience in promoting African literature, multilingual education, and youth literary development.

The elections, conducted in Accra on 18 July 2025, followed due process under the supervision of the PAWA Election Committee chaired by Mr Goima Peter Mwamwingila of Tanzania. Except for the Presidency, which was contested by Prof Bill Ndi (Cameroon/Diaspora) and Madam Imela Oyono Ayingono (Equatorial Guinea), all other positions on the Council were filled unopposed.

Prof Ndi won the presidency with 62.16% of valid votes cast, confirming his mandate to lead PAWA until 2028. The Vice Presidents elected from each African sub-region and the diaspora will be responsible for coordinating PAWA’s activities and strengthening national writers’ associations within their respective constituencies.

Prof Barry’s election is expected to strengthen regional collaboration among West African writers and reinforce PAWA’s vision of using literature as a tool for African unity, freedom of expression, and cultural regeneration.

The 2025–2028 PAWA Council includes:

• President: Prof Bill Ndi (Cameroon/Diaspora)
• Vice President (West Africa): Prof Cherno Omar Barry (The Gambia)
• Vice President (North Africa): Mr Ashraf Aboul Yazid (Egypt)
• Vice President (Southern Africa): Mr Carlos Paradona (Mozambique)
• Vice President (East Africa): Prof Egara Kabaji (Kenya)
• Vice President (Central Africa): Mr Eric Joel Bekale (Gabon)
• Vice President (Diaspora): Ms Reyna Lineres Jones
• Secretary General: Dr Wale Okediran (Nigeria)

PAWA, headquartered in Accra, Ghana, was founded in 1989 to bring together African writers and foster a united platform for intellectual and cultural exchange. The association advocates for the rights of writers, the promotion of African languages and publishing industries, and the creation of spaces for dialogue and literary excellence.

Prof Barry, in a post-election statement, described his new role as “an opportunity to consolidate the voices of West African writers and affirm the place of literature in shaping our collective future.”

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