British-Ghanaian journalist and writer, Yepoka Yeebo has emerged as one of the Jhalak Prize Shortlist with her book, Anansi’s Gold: The Man Who Swindled the World published by Bloomsbury. Judged by Anni Domingo, Stella Oni and Denise Saul, Yeebo is among a list of other shortlisted candidates.
Anansi’s Gold: The Man Who Swindled the World traces the outlines of Blay-Miezah’s life, shedding light on how he perpetrated his deceptions for years while living in incredible opulence. She delves into archives across the Atlantic, digs up criminal proceedings and conducts interviews with victims and associates alike, in the process telling us not just about Blay-Miezah, but about the world that enabled him to thrive.
The Jhalak Prize is Britain’s premier literary award for writers of colour. It celebrates exceptional talent across all genres, including fiction, non-fiction, graphic novels, poetry and short stories, whilst its sister award, the Jhalak Children’s & Young Adult Prize rewards authors of colour writing for younger audiences.
In his words, the Prize director, Sunny Singh says of the prize:
“Every year, the Jhalak Prize shortlists exemplify literary excellence in contemporary Britain and mark them as future classics. I am in awe of the courage required to tackle difficult themes and ideas coupled with the command of the chosen genre and form demonstrated by our shortlistees”.
Yepoka Yeebo is a British-Ghanaian journalist whose work has appeared in Bloomberg Businessweek, the Guardian, Quartz, PRI’s The World and other publications, and she has been interviewed on NPR’s All Things Considered. A graduate of Columbia University’s School of Journalism and the University of London, she divides her time between London, UK, and Accra, Ghana. Anansi’s Gold is her first book.
Congratulations Yeebo!
Bongiwe T. Maphosa
Bongiwe Maphosa is a writer whose fiction and poetry offers fresh, imaginative perspectives on the human condition. Her work has been published in prominent literary spaces, including Isele Magazine, Akowdee Magazine, the AVBOB Poetry Anthology, Journal of African Youth in Literature (JAY Lit), and more. She was also nominated for the 2025 Best of the Net Anthology. Bongiwe is one of six writers selected for the inaugural Caine Prize Online Editing program and serves as a content writer, peer reviewer, and tier three awards judge for JAYLit. Bridging inner reflection with speculative worlds, she continues to carve out a distinctive voice within contemporary African literature for a growing global audience.
