Martin Cameron Duodu, born on May 24, 1937, in Asiakwa, Eastern Ghana, is a distinguished Ghanaian novelist, journalist, editor, and broadcaster who has made significant contributions to literature and journalism both in Ghana and internationally. His educational journey began at Kyebi Government Senior School, after which he pursued his O-Level and A-Level examinations through correspondence courses with the Rapid Results College in London. Duodu's passion for writing emerged early; while still a student, he penned his first story, "Tough Guy In Town," which was broadcast on the radio program "The Singing Net" and later featured in the 1958 anthology "Voices of Ghana," edited by Henry Swanzy.

In 1954, Duodu embarked on a career as a student teacher and contributed to the Ghanaian magazine "New Nation." By 1956, he had joined the Ghana Broadcasting Corporation as a radio journalist, eventually becoming the editor of radio news by 1960. During this period, he also contributed short stories and poetry to "The Singing Net" and plays to the program "Ghana Theatre." From 1960 to 1965, Duodu served as the editor of the Ghana edition of the South African magazine "Drum," a publication renowned for its investigative journalism and vibrant storytelling. In 1970, he took on the role of editor for the "Daily Graphic," Ghana's most widely circulated newspaper.

Duodu's literary prowess was further showcased with the publication of his novel, "The Gab Boys," in 1967 by André Deutsch in London. The novel delves into the lives of young men, referred to as "gab boys" due to their gabardine trousers, who are perceived as delinquents by their elders. The narrative follows one such youth who escapes village life to seek new opportunities in Accra, Ghana's capital. The novel has been praised for its compassionate exploration of cultural conflicts and political corruption in post-colonial African society, aligning Duodu with contemporaries like Chinua Achebe and Ama Ata Aidoo.

Throughout his career, Duodu has been a prolific journalist, contributing to esteemed publications such as "The Observer," "The Financial Times," "The Sunday Times," United Press International, Reuters, "De Volkskrant" (Amsterdam), and "The Economist." Since the 1980s, he has been based in the United Kingdom, working as a freelance journalist. His writings have also appeared in "The Independent" and "The Guardian." Additionally, Duodu authors the blog "Under the Neem Tree" for "New African" magazine and has penned regular columns for South African publications like "The Mail and Guardian" and "City Press." For many years, he maintained a weekly column in the "Ghanaian Times" in Accra.

Beyond print journalism, Duodu has been a frequent contributor to BBC World TV and BBC World Service radio programs, offering insights into African politics, economics, and culture. In 2014, he contributed to the volume "Essays in Honour of Wole Soyinka at 80," edited by Ivor Agyeman-Duah and Ogochukwu Promise.

In his personal life, Duodu married dancer and choreographer Beryl Karikari in the 1960s. Beryl, a great-great-granddaughter of Asante King Kofi Karikari, passed away in 2007 at the age of 71, leaving behind their two sons, Akwasi and Korieh, as well as Duodu's other sons, Yaw and Kofi.

Duodu's contributions have been recognized with accolades such as the "Communication and Media" award at the 2005 Ghana Professional Achievers Awards in the UK for his column in "New African." In 2018, "African Voice" newspaper listed him among "61 Influential Ghanaians in the Diaspora," underscoring his impact and legacy in both journalism and literature.