‘Our feminist ancestor’: Ama Ata Aidoo, author, activist and African heroine

In her writing, she depicted bold African women; in her activism, she nurtured and inspired people everywhere

It sounds ridiculous to say that I have been preparing myself for the death of Prof Ama Ata Aidoo for years, but that's exactly what I tried - and failed - to do. A few years ago, there was a rumour she had died and I called her daughter, Kinna Likimani, a close friend, in a panic.

She reassured me: Mummy is fine, don't worry." A few weeks ago, I was in London preparing to host the first live show of my podcast, Adventures from the Bedrooms of African Women, when I got a voice note: All the best with your live show. Also just a heads-up, Mummy is very unwell."