Showing posts with label Challenges as an African writer residing in Europe. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Challenges as an African writer residing in Europe. Show all posts

Saturday, January 10, 2026

The enigmatic Joel Savage: Dive into his background

 

Joel Savage: Author, journalist and writer

Joel Savage: Author, journalist and writer


Joel Savage is a Ghanaian-born journalist, writer, and author who later became a Belgian national and now lives in Antwerp, Belgium. His work blends journalism, creative writing, and social commentary, often focusing on difficult or underreported issues. This article represents his biography. 

 

He is one of those writers whose career spans continents, genres, and decades, and the search results give a solid, verifiable picture of his background and work.

 

Career Highlights

 

•             He began writing at a young age and studied journalism at                  the Ghana Institute of Journalism in Accra.

•              He worked as a freelance journalist for major Ghanaian                       newspapers, including:

•             Ghanaian Times

•             Daily Graphic

•             Weekly Spectator

•             After moving to Belgium, he continued writing and became                a member of the Flemish Journalists Association.

•             He writes the column “A Mixture of Periodicals,” which                    covers a wide range of topics from social issues to cultural                  commentary.

 

Themes and Topics He Covers

 

Across platforms, Savage is known for tackling:

•             Drug abuse

•             Child trafficking

•             Juvenile crime

•             Broader social problems and crimes against humanity

These themes appear in his journalism, blog posts, and social commentary.

 

Online Presence

 

He maintains an active presence on various platforms:

•             About.me profile summarizing his background and writing journey

•             Xing and Viadeo profiles highlighting his professional experience and long career in journalism

•             Mastodon, where he posts commentary on global issues and politics.

 

The African writer, journalist, and author is known for his work on social issues, crime, health, and humaninterest stories. Based in Antwerp, Belgium, he has written extensively for both Ghanaian and European audiences, drawing on his multicultural background and decades of experience in journalism. Savage is also recognized for his commentary on global affairs, child welfare, drug abuse, and human trafficking.

 

Early Life and Education

 

Savage was born and raised in Ghana, where he developed an early interest in storytelling and film. Inspired by his father, himself a writer, journalist, and documentary filmmaker, Savage initially dreamed of becoming an actor. When formal acting training proved financially out of reach, he turned fully toward writing, encouraged by Ghanaian newspaper columnist “Nana Ama’s Advice,” to whom he wrote as a young aspiring artist.

 

He attended Ebenezer Secondary School and Accra High School before enrolling at the Ghana Institute of Journalism, where he studied journalism and creative writing.

 

Career in Ghana

 

Before emigrating, Savage worked as a freelance journalist for several major Ghanaian newspapers, including:

•             The Ghanaian Times

•             Daily Graphic

•             The Weekly Spectator

•             The Mirror

His articles often explored social issues, human behavior, and community life, earning him a reputation for accessible, empathetic storytelling.

 

Migration to Belgium and Later Career

 

Savage later settled in Antwerp, Belgium, where he became a Belgian national. In Europe, he continued writing and expanded his work into books, blogs, and commentary on international issues. He is a member of the Flemish Journalists Association and writes the longrunning column “A Mixture of Periodicals.” His work frequently addresses:

•             Drug abuse

•             Child abuse

•             Juvenile crime

•             Human trafficking

•             Social inequality

He maintains an active online presence, including commentary on global politics and media ethics.

 

Writing Style and Themes

 

Savage’s writing blends investigative curiosity with personal reflection. His narratives often highlight the struggles of marginalized people, drawing attention to systemic failures and human resilience. He is known for his direct, unembellished prose and his willingness to confront uncomfortable topics.

 

His Goodreads profile shows a strong interest in African and global nonfiction, including works by Ryszard Kapuściński, whose influence can be seen in Savage’s observational style and focus on lived experience.

 

Selected Works

 

Savage has authored numerous books, many of which explore crime, social issues, and personal journeys, including his experience in European countries, such as Italy, the Netherlands, and Belgium. His books are available on Amazon.com.

 

Personal Life

 

Savage lives in Antwerp, Belgium. He continues to write, publish, and comment on contemporary issues through blogs, social media, and literary platforms. His multicultural background, Ghanaian roots and Belgian life shape much of his worldview and writing.

 

Legacy and Influence

 

One of his greatest challenges as an African writer living in Europe is that the topics he writes about are completely different from what writers and journalists in industrialized nations share with their readers. Among the various challenges he encountered were attempts to bury or lessen the prominence of his articles.

 

Joel Savage is regarded as part of a generation of African writers who built careers across continents, using journalism and literature to bridge cultural experiences. His work contributes to ongoing conversations about migration, identity, and social justice.