S8Ep9| BOOK CLUB: 'Hold' - a conversation with Michael Donkor

 In February 2026, Michael Kwadwo Donkor joined our book club and left us inspired as we discussed Hold – a coming-of-age book that explores the role of women, attitudes to sexuality, mental health and the tension between culture and identity. 

The book follows three teenage girls. Two live in a town near Kumasi, Ghana's Asante Region and are housemaids for a well-to-do family. The third teenager we meet later in the book is from South London.  During the course of the book, the worlds of the housegirl- Belinda, and London-born teenager collide.

HarperCollins described Hold as a "powerful new British literary voice". In the US, the book is titled Housegirl.

Have you read Hold?

Check out writer Kwame Ofosu's review of Hold in the Twi language.

https://akadimagazine.substack.com/p/a-twi-language-review-of-hold-a-book
  
 And why not join our next book club online on 18 April where we discuss Marie-Claire Amuah’s debut book: ‘One For Sorrow, Two For Joy’. Follow our Substack: 

https://akadimagazine.substack.com/p/join-our-next-book-club

The music in this episode is made exclusively for AKADi Magazine by Kyekyeku and the Super Opong Stars and is called 'Life No Dey Easy'.

AKADi Magazine is a digital publication connecting Ghanaians in Ghana and the Diaspora, visit us at www.akadimagazine.com , www.akadimagazine.co.uk and www.msbwrites.co.uk for all your community news.

Join our socials here: https://linktr.ee/AKADiMag