Ruby Yayra Goka
Ruby Yayra Goka lives and works in Accra, Ghana. She has always loved stories and storytelling. For a long time, the only person who ‘benefitted’ from her great love of writing and storytelling was her younger brother, Eli. Every day after school, he was made to watch a performance of a story Ruby made up. The cast of characters were usually her dolls, stuffed animals and her cat, Katie. Thankfully for Eli, as Ruby got older she preferred reading to putting on productions. This preference often led to conflict with her older sister, Dela, because Ruby would hoard Dela's literature books when Dela needed them to study. This love of reading and telling stories was what led her into writing many years later.
As a writer, Ruby believes that the more African children see themselves reflected in the pages of the books they read, the more they will dream and know they can be anything they want to be. She was recently nominated for the Ghana 40 Under 40 Award for authorship and creative writing – the award recognizes emerging leaders in Ghana in a variety of categories. Ruby is also the award-winning author of more than ten books for young adults; six of these books have been awarded the Ghana Burt Award for African Literature, including The Step-Monster (first prize, 2016).
Ruby’s other books for children include A Gift for Fafa and Tani’s Wish. Tani’s Wish was written for the Ghana Cleft Foundation to create awareness about cleft lips and palates and to reduce the stigma associated with the condition.
Ruby is a dentist by profession. When she isn’t working, writing, or spending time with her two dogs and turtle, Ruby can be found either reading, gardening or holding conversations with her ‘imaginary friends’.
Ruby Yayra Goka lives and works in Accra, Ghana. She has always loved stories and storytelling. For a long time, the only person who ‘benefitted’ from her great love of writing and storytelling was her younger brother, Eli. Every day after school, he was made to watch a performance of a story Ruby made up. The cast of characters were usually her dolls, stuffed animals and her cat, Katie. Thankfully for Eli, as Ruby got older she preferred reading to putting on productions. This preference often led to conflict with her older sister, Dela, because Ruby would hoard Dela's literature books when Dela needed them to study. This love of reading and telling stories was what led her into writing many years later.
As a writer, Ruby believes that the more African children see themselves reflected in the pages of the books they read, the more they will dream and know they can be anything they want to be. She was recently nominated for the Ghana 40 Under 40 Award for authorship and creative writing – the award recognizes emerging leaders in Ghana in a variety of categories. Ruby is also the award-winning author of more than ten books for young adults; six of these books have been awarded the Ghana Burt Award for African Literature, including The Step-Monster (first prize, 2016).
Ruby’s other books for children include A Gift for Fafa and Tani’s Wish. Tani’s Wish was written for the Ghana Cleft Foundation to create awareness about cleft lips and palates and to reduce the stigma associated with the condition.
Ruby is a dentist by profession. When she isn’t working, writing, or spending time with her two dogs and turtle, Ruby can be found either reading, gardening or holding conversations with her ‘imaginary friends’.
