The Kofi Awoonor
Poetry Prize.
An annual prize honoring excellence in poetry that embodies lived experience, insight, and artistic rigor — named for the celebrated Ghanaian poet and statesman.
2025 Winner
Alaga Unwomanumu
We are delighted to announce Alaga Unwomanumu as the winner of the Kofi Awoonor Poetry Prize 2025, judged by Maryhilde Obasiota Ibe. The winning poem stood out for its artistic excellence, depth of vision, and compelling engagement with language.
Our warm congratulations also go to runner-up Onyekachi Iloh, commended for the strength and originality of the submitted work. Thank you to every poet who submitted — the volume and quality of entries made this year's selection both exciting and challenging.
Past Winners
The prize's growing archive of honored poets and their guest judges.
Alaga Unwomanumu 2025 — Judged by Maryhilde Obasiota Ibe
Iyanuoluwa Adenle 2024 — Judged by Othuke Umukoro
Now Open
Kofi Awoonor Poetry Prize — 2026
READING PERIOD: July 6 – September 1, 2026
JUDGE: Loic Ekinga
PRIZE: Prize $150 USD + Publication
ENTRY FEE: None
SUBMISSION GUIDELINES
Open to writers worldwide. Each entrant may submit one unpublished poem — multiple submissions by the same writer are not permitted.
Do not submit any poem that has appeared in any form, including chapbooks, anthologies, collections, social media, blogs, newsletters, or literary magazines.
Poems should not exceed 50 lines (epigraphs and the title are not counted).
Submissions must be anonymous — no name or biographical information in the manuscript. Include your name, phone number, email, and country of residence in the body of your email only.
Submit as a PDF or Word (.doc/.docx) attachment to kofiawoonorpoetryprize@gmail.com, subject line "Kofi Awoonor Poetry Prize 2026."
Submissions that don't follow these guidelines, or that arrive after the deadline, will be automatically disqualified and not read.
Close friends, relatives, and recent students of the judge are not eligible to submit.
Pepper Coast Mag administrators collate all entries and forward them to the judge, who reads all work anonymously. The judge's decision is final.
Finalists will be announced in October 2026; the winner will be announced in December 2026.