Three young Ghanaian writers were crowned on October 17, 2026 as winners of the maiden Ghana Through Our Eyes writing competition, an initiative by NEO REPORT and its contractual co-owner Sini Kunnas that pushed young creatives to tell authentic Ghanaian stories in their own words.
Hamdeyatu Seidu took first place with her article, I Had Mistaken a Society for a Market Place, ahead of Blessing Acheampong, who placed second with Highlife: The Ghanaian Sound in the Silence, and Bridget Koka, third with My Cape Coast Journey 2021-2026. The winners will receive 100 euros, 60 euros and 40 euros respectively, and every participant will receive a certificate.
Why the competition matters for Ghana's creative economy
According to GhanaWeb, the ceremony celebrated more than prizes. It marked a deliberate push to promote reading and writing among young Ghanaians while encouraging them to identify, appreciate and project the beauty and possibilities of Ghana through their own stories. That is a mission worth backing. A country that tells its own stories, in its own voice, controls its own narrative at home and abroad.
Samuel N.E. Obeng, owner of NEO REPORT, described the initiative as a step in the right direction and said the competition had challenged young creatives to think independently, put their ideas into writing and allow their work to be assessed alongside that of their peers.
He said the quality of the entries proved Ghana has talented young people with bright futures ahead of them, and he encouraged participants to start preparing for the 2027 edition, which may open the door to video, audio and photography submissions.
Diaspora partnership behind the initiative
The competition is a joint effort between NEO REPORT and Sini Kunnas, a Finnish contractual co-owner of the platform, and that partnership is exactly the kind of international bridge Ghana needs. Kunnas thanked all participants, particularly the winners, and urged them to look forward to the second edition in 2027.
She encouraged young people not to see creative writing as a difficult task, stressing that telling stories about their culture and experiences helps preserve what makes them unique.
Kunnas also pointed to a practical truth: digital communication and the internet have created more opportunities than ever for young Africans to express themselves and share their cultures with wider audiences. She commended the NEO REPORT team for its dedication, hard work and commitment to its values.
How the entries were judged
Lady Consuella Kabutey-Ongor, a member of the judging panel, explained that entries were assessed on three criteria: originality, creativity and flow.
She issued a warning that every young writer in Ghana should hear. Marks were deducted from articles that relied solely on artificial intelligence, and she urged future applicants to use their own ideas and intelligence while treating AI as a supporting tool for editing and improving their work.
That standard is the right one. The tools will keep evolving, but the voice, the lived experience and the perspective must belong to the writer. Judges who reward original thinking over machine output are protecting the very thing that makes Ghanaian storytelling worth reading.
International exposure for young voices
NEO REPORT has announced that participants will have the opportunity to get their articles published on its website, neoreportgh.com, giving their work exposure to an international audience. For young writers building portfolios, that is real currency. Publishing platforms that connect Ghanaian talent with global readers are doing quietly important work.
The maiden edition has highlighted something the country needs more of: structured opportunities for young people to express themselves, preserve their cultural identity and share their understanding of Ghana with the world. From highlife to Cape Coast, the winning entries drew directly on Ghanaian lived experience, and that is precisely the material global audiences want.
What happens next
Preparations are anticipated for the 2027 edition, and the organisers are calling on more young creatives to take part and use their talents to tell authentic Ghanaian stories. With cash prizes, certificates, international publication and a judging process that rewards genuine creativity, the incentive structure is clear.
Congratulations to Hamdeyatu Seidu, Blessing Acheampong and Bridget Koka, and to every participant who put pen to paper. The next chapter of Ghanaian writing starts now.
Frequently asked questions
Who won the Ghana Through Our Eyes writing competition?
Hamdeyatu Seidu won first place with I Had Mistaken a Society for a Market Place. Blessing Acheampong came second with Highlife: The Ghanaian Sound in the Silence, and Bridget Koka placed third with My Cape Coast Journey 2021-2026.
What prizes do the winners receive?
The winners receive 100 euros for first place, 60 euros for second place and 40 euros for third place, along with publication opportunities on neoreportgh.com. All participants receive certificates of participation.
When is the next Ghana Through Our Eyes competition?
The second edition is planned for 2027, and organisers say it may include opportunities for video, audio and photography submissions in addition to written articles.
Can writers use artificial intelligence in their entries?
Judge Lady Consuella Kabutey-Ongor said marks were deducted from articles that relied solely on AI, and urged writers to treat AI only as a supporting tool for editing and improving their own original work.