Henneh Kyereh Kwaku

Henneh Kyereh Kwaku is a Ghanaian poet, educator, and public health scholar whose work bridges the creative arts and health communication. He is the author of Revolution of the Scavengers, selected by Kwame Dawes and Chris Abani for the African Poetry Book Fund, and a recipient of the 2024 J. Howard and Barbara M.J. Wood Prize from Poetry Magazine. His writing engages themes of environmental justice, collective memory, and health equity.

Early life and education

Kwaku was born in Gonasua and raised in Drobo in the Bono Region of Ghana. Growing up in Ghana, Kwaku attended the University of Health and Allied Sciences, where he graduated with a Bachelor of Public Health, Disease Control from the Fred N. Binka School of Public Health. He earned his master's degree in health education from the University of Cape Coast and an MFA in creative writing from Chapman University in California, where he was later nominated for the James L. Doti Outstanding Graduate Award.

Career

Poetry and literature Kwaku is the author of Revolution of the Scavengers (African Poetry Book Fund / Akashic Books) selected and edited by Kwame Dawes and Chris Abani. His poems have appeared in reputable publications, including Poetry Magazine, World Literature Today, Poets.org, and Lolwe. Writing about Revolution of the Scavengers

Kwaku's co-authored article in 2023. Kwaku's work has been presented at conferences such as Eastern Communication Association and the Society for Public Health Education. Kwaku is also a Certified Health Education Specialist, accredited by the National Commission for Health Education Credentialing.

Honours and awards In 2024, Kwaku received the J. Howard and Barbara M.J. Wood Prize from the Poetry magazine (Poetry Foundation), he was awarded the Samira Bawumia Literary Prize for Nonfiction (2022) and Poetry (2020) making him notable for winning the award in two different categories. Library of Africa and the African Diaspora WAW Residency (2022). Kwaku was nominated for the James L. Doti Outstanding Graduate, which "is conferred annually to the outstanding graduating master’s and doctoral students with distinguished records of academic accomplishment, scholarship, and/or service" at Chapman University. Dr Anna Leahy described Kwaku as "shaping the future of Chapman."

Selected publications

Books Revolution of the Scavengers Roots Homecoming A Voice is a Voice

Journal articles

"In Praise"