The esteemed scholarly institution headquartered in Atlanta, Georgia, USA has entrusted Sowe with the pivotal role in advancing literary pursuits and academic initiatives across the African continent.
Going by the moniker Age-Almusaf Sowe, Modou Lamin Sowe is the mastermind behind four impressive works: Don't Judge the Book by the Cover, a novel; The Throne of the Ghost, a play; The Memories of Reflection, novella; and AfriKa Not AfriCa, an anthology of poems.
Other works in the pipeline are also being anticipated by his loyal fans who have over the years been mesmerised and won over through beautifully and skilfully crafted pieces that resonate with their daily struggles as Gambians, and also reflecting their culture.
The prolific Gambian wordsmith has been tirelessly collaborating with national and international writers' associations. His overarching goal is to elevate the visibility of Gambian literature, bridging the gap with neighboring sub-regional and regional literary landscapes.
He has untiringly been working in tandem with the two foremost national writers associations, one of which he is the architect, and international writers and scholarly organisations in a bid to accelerate the visibility of Gambian literature, which lingers miles behind those of sub-regional and regional neighbours, to bridge the gap with the neighbour’s literary landscape.
His drama masterpiece, The Throne of The Ghost, was recognised by the Pan-African Writers Association as the book of the month in May 2022, while his AfriKa Not AfriCa poetry collection was bestowed the Wergle Flomp Humor Poetry Award in 2020 by the Winning Writers based in Texas, USA.
Further strengthening his standing in the literary realm of the sub-region and even beyond, he was awarded the African Literature Award 2021–2022 by the International Association of African Authors and Scholars (IAAAS), the very organisation that has now inducted him amongst its ranks as regional coordinator.
As a non-profit body, IAAAS links authors together to collectivise their efforts through networking, literary discussions and other programs. It also seeks to advance individual and national development through publishing, sales and book fairs, and by aiding needy students continue education.
In this era, where literary activists perform a key role in shaping social discourse, Sowe stands out not only as an influential author but also as a sustainable development and climate change champion.
His multidimensional approach to societal issues led to his appointment to the Africa Youth Advisory Board on Disaster Risk Reduction (AYAB), under the African Union Commission, in August 2023 for bolstering SDG numbers 4, 11, and 13.
The Africa Youth Advisory Board for Disaster Risk Reduction plays a crucial role in involving young Africans in mitigating the impact of disasters on the continent.
Determined to enhance these SDGs, Sowe who continues to outmanoeuvre hurdles in the literary and advocacy spheres, actively engages with the board to drive disaster risk mitigation processes in Africa.
