AFRICAN FICTION, WESTERN READERS African fiction, western readers? Why is that a question? The sad irony of African writers in the diaspora is that much of their work may never be read in the countries where the stories are set. That’s because, ultimately, the fiction is geared to a largely western markets. That means African writers must tell a story that the presumably mostly western audience will understand. Africa is rich with custom and tradition, and it varies from coun

Watch this video by Afua Hirsch, formerly of The Guardian, UK. It gives insight into the new Inspector Darko Dawson novel, GOLD OF THE FATHERS. Also, check out my conversation with Ed Lin, my fellow mystery writer at Soho Press. #AquaHirsch #Ghana #GoldofOurFathers

The term “Dark Continent” is an antiquated (and to many, offensive) euphemism for Africa that once got veteran NPR broadcaster Jean Cochran into trouble when she used it on air. Now I’m taking the liberty of coining the phrase “dark country” to refer to Ghana, with its now legendary rolling blackouts, or “load shedding,” as it’s often called. In the “dark country,”, you need a high-powered generator to keep the lights on Popularly known as “dumsor,” from the Twi, meaning “off

During August-September 2013, I was in Ghana researching illegal gold mining in that country as I prepare to write the fourth Inspector Darko Dawson novel, Gold of Our Fathers (title only tentative). The current fever over gold in Ghana has been heightened and complicated by the influx of Chinese gold-seekers with no legal standing to conduct mining in Ghana. To put the chaos in context, a brief historical look is in order. It’s not an exhaustive review by any means. History