Roi Ankhkara Kwabena was born in the Republic of Trinidad & Tobago in 1956.
           As a cultural activist, he has lectured, performed and conducted workshops at the request of numerous governments, city councils, universities, schools, libraries and cultural bodies across the Caribbean, Europe, and Africa.
           Thousands of youngsters and adults, including pensioners  have benefited from his offerings. Many of his publications are considered vital reference materials for understanding the diverse cultural experiences of southern peoples.
           A former Opposition Senator in his place of birth, he is currently Birmingham (UK) Poet laureate for the period 2001-2002.  Roi Kwabena is the author of numerous literary and musical works.His recent publication is titled "WHETHER OR NOT". It is a new collection of poems & also a CD. It features his immutable style of intriguing Dialogue, Dramatizations and Drumology.
        Roi Kwabena is also available for lectures and workshops internationally.
For further information: EMAIL

REVIEWS

“....Kwabena whose latest book of poems was recently published had spent quality time in KUSH, now part of Sudan, some years ago. He writes with feelings in the title poem evoking memories  ‘ of mighty warriors humbled’ by the Kushites and speaks feelingly of reclaiming ‘..the lost, stolen legacy of pristine ages’.....”

GEORGE ALLEYNE- NEWSDAY NEWSPAPERS-Trinidad & Tobago

“ ...Of the fifteen publications which stand in his name, the latest to hand, certainly would have the greatest universal appeal...The profiles give information not generally known...The notes,  though brief, are quite illuminating and will suprise many by their unusual presentation....”

F.E. BRASSINGTON-TRINIDAD GUARDIAN, T’dad & T’bago

“...A strong sense of the region’s history underpins the poet’s responses to the vagaries of contemporary ‘politricks’. He is aware of  the long  shadow of colonialism that still affects Trinidadian society....
        ‘JOB FOR THE HANGMAN ’ represent a kind of ‘grounding’ between the poet and his audience ... Kwabena, like other  poets of  this  tradition  across the Caribbean, seems to value the poem   primarily as an agent of dialogue- whether directly, as  in performance, or in terms of stirring his readers to debate among themselves.... ”

Dr. Stewart Brown -

CENTRE FOR WEST AFRICAN STUDIES

UNIVERSITY OF BIRMINGHAM, U.K.

“..his poetry represents his complex background and his close involvement in the politics of the
Caribbean. It is powerful and direct poetry but it also demonstrates his love of  language,
his excitement at the effects of languaage...”

JONATHAN DAVIDSON-THE WORD :BIRMINGHAM POST,U.K.

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