Accra becomes the 23rd member of the UNESCO World Book Capital Network

The launch of the Accra World Book Capital kick starts a year-long of activities that will reinforce school and community infrastructure and institutional support for lifelong learning, in order to foster the culture of reading.

President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo of Ghana said winning this year’s title is an acknowledgment of the great steps Ghana and Africa are making to develop the book and creative industries, as well as enhance the youth development through the transformative power of reading. “For us in Ghana, the Accra World Book Capital is more than a reading campaign. It’s an opportunity for government and international partners to leverage the diverse linkages to culture and education to deepen our collective actions to make progress of the 2030 Sustainable Development Goals” He added.

The theme for this year’s global campaign is “Reading to Connect Minds for Social Transformation”, highlighting the strong need to promote the books, reading and the creative arts for social transformation.

The Director-General of UNESCO, Ms Audrey Azoulay said the culture of reading is a treasure that must be encouraged, promoted, and supported at all stages of life. “The launch is a call to action for all the initiatives that support literature, authors, and reading” She added.

As part of the launch, the President read the book “Kofi Annan” with four selected students. There was also an exhibition of various publications by several publishers and institutions, including UN Ghana.

The launch attracted a host of stakeholders in the education, creative, and book publishing industries, as well as students, government officials and members of the diplomatic corps including the UN family in Ghana.