The Heritage Center Junction is proud to present
The Annual HCJUNCTION
"An Ode to our Mother LanguageS"
Competition
In Celebration of UNESCO's annual International Mother Language Day,
the HCJUNCTION hosts a global competition where participants are instructed to write an original poem or short story in their mother language or about mother languages.
We are grateful to everyone who participates and spreads the word about our competition.
See below past winners.
2026 WINNER
Winner and winning submission:
Love Unfold by Mary Abankwah
submitted in English and Twi
(read Mary’s poem below)
We asked Mary why mother languages are important and she shared with us the following:
My mother language is very important to me. It represents my identity, my culture, my belief and my history.
It is an identity that singles me out among others and can say a lot about me just by my expression and intonation when I speak.
Love Unfold
by Mary Abankwah
Affection, at times,
May stray and roam.
Yet genuine warmth,
Finds a lasting home.
When given truly;
From the heart's deep care.
It lingers on,
Remembered evermore.
It first was given to man,
A bond divine.
Connecting God and Human,
A sacred sign.
But when God withdrew,
A void remains.
Yet though a divine man,
The link was regained.
Mortal and immortal;
In harmony intertwine.
Love is vast,
Yet can be replaced by hate,
When dwelling on the pain;
Caused by those
Close and Sweet.
Ɔdɔ Dae
a Mary Abankwah kyerɛwee
Ɔdɔ, ɛtɔ mmere bi a, .
Ebia ɔbɛyera na wakyinkyin.
Nanso ɔhyew ankasa, .
Hwehwɛ ofie a ɛtra hɔ daa.
Sɛ wɔde ma ampa a;
Efi koma no hwɛ a emu dɔ mu.
Ɛtra hɔ kyɛ, .
Wɔkae no daa.
Wodii kan de maa onipa, .
Nkabom a ɛyɛ ɔsoro.
Onyankopɔn ne Onipa a Wɔbɛka Abom, .
Nsɛnkyerɛnne kronkron.
Nanso bere a Onyankopɔn twee ne ho no, .
Kwan bi da so ara wɔ hɔ.
Nanso ɛwom sɛ ɔyɛ ɔsoro nipa de, nanso .
Wɔsan nyaa nkitahodi no.
Owufo ne nea enwu da;
Wɔ biakoyɛ mu no, wɔde wɔn ho hyɛ mu.
Ɔdɔ mu dɔ.
Nanso wobetumi de ɔtan asi ananmu, .
Bere a wote ɛyaw no so no;
Wɔn na ɛde bae
Bɛn na Ɛyɛ Dwo.