A. W. Kayper-Mensah
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A. W. Kayper-Mensah | |
|---|---|
| Born | 1923 |
| Died | 1980 (aged 56–57) |
| Alma mater | Queens' College, Cambridge |
| Occupations | Poet, broadcaster and diplomat |
| Notable work | The Dark Wanderer (1970); The Drummer in our Time (1975) |
| Spouse | Gertrud Agnes-Christina Kayper-Mensah (née König) |
Albert William Kayper-Mensah (1923–1980) was a Ghanaian poet, broadcaster and diplomat. He published several collections of poetry in English and German, and was included in various anthologies of African poetry.
Albert Kayper-Mensah was born in Sekondi, Ghana in 1923, the oldest of three siblings. He was educated at Mfantsipim School and Achimota College before going to Queens' College, Cambridge in 1946 and then the University of London.[1][2][3]
On returning to Ghana, Kayper-Mensah taught at Wesley College in Kumasi, where he remained for seven years. By the late 1950s, he was performing poetry and plays on Ghanaian radio, and also appearing on the BBC's The Brains Trust in February 1959.[4][5] He performed at the Mermaid Theatre in London in July 1961.[6] Later, he hosted 'Face to Face' on the Ghana Broadcasting Corporation.[3]
He went on to join Ghana's diplomatic service, serving overseas for 15 years, including periods in Bonn and London. It was while in diplomatic service that many of Kayper-Mensah's poems were published[1][2][3]
Albert Kayper-Mensah's death was reported on 9 February 1980. At the time, he was serving in Germany as Principal Secretary in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.[3] Later that month, the Ghana Association of Writers held a memorial literary evening.[7] He was survived by his wife, Gertrude.[8]