People packed the Institute of African Studies at the University of Ghana last Wednesday to celebrate a historic first. The crowd gathered on April 3, 2025, for the release of The Kusaas: An Indigenous Perspective, making history as the first book about the Kusaas people ever published. Hon. Cletus Apul Avoka led the ceremony as chair, emphasizing how special this moment was for everyone involved.
The book breaks new ground because locals wrote it themselves. These authors lived the experiences they describe, researched their heritage, and told their story from the inside. Readers can learn about Kusaas origins, struggles for peace, and how they almost lost their identity completely. The twelve chapters explore everything from traditional customs to language and education across Kusuag.
Many important teachers and scholars from the region showed up to support the launch. ACP James Azumah Abbas Abbah spoke for the writing team, saying enemies might have destroyed Kusaas songs and practices, but failed to quiet their voices. Dr. Hasiyatu Abujabar shared her excitement about watching the project grow from just an idea into something that teaches others about Kusaas culture.
Professor Samuel Abubakari praised the timing, calling it perfect for both casual readers and serious researchers. Hon. Avoka remembered his school days at Navrongo Secondary School where he sang and danced, expressing hope the book will bring back cultural practices. Fred Larbi, who runs Digibooks Ghana Ltd, thanked everyone for sticking with the project through seven years of research and careful editing.
A mystery buyer paid 20,000 GHC at auction for the first printed copy. The editorial team included Hasiyatu Abubakar, Agnes A. Apusigah, and A. Agoswin Musah, who carefully shaped the final version. Their dedication resulted in a complete resource that preserves knowledge that might otherwise disappear from public memory.
The book breaks new ground because locals wrote it themselves. These authors lived the experiences they describe, researched their heritage, and told their story from the inside. Readers can learn about Kusaas origins, struggles for peace, and how they almost lost their identity completely. The twelve chapters explore everything from traditional customs to language and education across Kusuag.
Many important teachers and scholars from the region showed up to support the launch. ACP James Azumah Abbas Abbah spoke for the writing team, saying enemies might have destroyed Kusaas songs and practices, but failed to quiet their voices. Dr. Hasiyatu Abujabar shared her excitement about watching the project grow from just an idea into something that teaches others about Kusaas culture.
Professor Samuel Abubakari praised the timing, calling it perfect for both casual readers and serious researchers. Hon. Avoka remembered his school days at Navrongo Secondary School where he sang and danced, expressing hope the book will bring back cultural practices. Fred Larbi, who runs Digibooks Ghana Ltd, thanked everyone for sticking with the project through seven years of research and careful editing.
A mystery buyer paid 20,000 GHC at auction for the first printed copy. The editorial team included Hasiyatu Abubakar, Agnes A. Apusigah, and A. Agoswin Musah, who carefully shaped the final version. Their dedication resulted in a complete resource that preserves knowledge that might otherwise disappear from public memory.
