Accra World Book Capital 2023 was announced yesterday by President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo, who is adamant that it would spur investment, particularly in the cultural and creative industries.
He said that it was also a recognition of the enormous strides Ghana and Africa were making in order to grow the publishing and creative arts sectors as well as mobilize the young via the transformational potential of reading for social development.
"The Accra World Book Capital is more than just a reading promotion for us in Ghana." The opportunity presents itself for the government and its foreign partners to enhance their cooperation in order to advance the 2030 Sustainable Development Goals by using the many connections between culture and education.
UNESCO project
UNESCO's World Book Capital program honors cities for their support of reading and book promotion for a whole year, beginning on April 23, World Book and Copyright Day.
Cities that have been named the UNESCO World Book Capital engage in events aimed at promoting reading among people of all ages and spreading UNESCO's ideals. The nomination as host carries no monetary reward.
Madrid was chosen as the first World Book Capital city in 2001 when UNESCO adopted Resolution 29 in order to create the World Book Capital program.
launch in Accra
Numerous representatives from the publishing, education, and creative industries attended the event, along with UNESCO officials, including Director-General Audrey Azoulay.
the City Mayors of the World Book Capital Network and the UNESCO Goodwill Ambassador
Representatives of the International Federation of Library Associations' Publishers Association were also present.
The worldwide program for 2023 is based on the subject "Reading to Connect Minds for Social Transformation" and aims to strengthen school and community infrastructure while also providing institutional support for life-long learning.
Catalyst
According to President Akufo-Addo, the hosting will encourage investment in the nation's creative and cultural industries, allowing them to expand and provide more quality jobs for the populace.
He said that the time had come to revive the love of reading and harness its inherent revolutionary potential to further Ghana's national objective of becoming a country of learners.
"We are confident that the World Book Capital project will lay a strong foundation for Ghana and Africa to spur the implementation of the declarations emanating from the major global and continental education movements, including initiatives earmarked for the 2024 African Union Year of Education," he continued.
The President further stated that the plan will directly affect 100,000 children, youth, and adults in Ghana and will target marginalized populations with high rates of illiteracy, including women, young people, street children, and people with disabilities.
"The power of books and reading must be the cornerstone to achieve a more inclusive, equitable, and peaceful society," President Akufo-Addo said to the crowd.
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