The United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization’s (UNESCO) esteemed and highly competitive World Book Capital for promotion of ‘book industry, libraries, reading, literacy awareness creation, and lively book culture’, was won by Ghana this year. The capital city of Ghana, Accra, was selected by the UNESCO Advisory Council as the host city for the 2023 edition. The launch of the Accra World Book Capital which took place at the Accra International Conference Centre (AICC) on April 24, 2023 was well attended by Prof. Edward Appiah, the Director General of the National Council for Curriculum and Assessment (NaCCA), as an important player in Ghana’s education space.
The programme was graced by His Excellency Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo, the President of the Republic of Ghana and the UNESCO Director-General, H.E. Ms. Audrey Azoulay. The theme for the World Book Capital is ‘Reading to Connect Minds for Social Transformation’ with the slogan; Akwaaba, Let’s Read! Relating the notion of the traditional way of welcoming guest back home, the Accra book capital seeks to welcome the global world to the city and encourages both young and old to read books and associate with other readers for social transformation.
Other dignitaries that attended the event include policymakers in education, developing partners, traditional leaders, global education influencers, heads of educational institutions, teachers, students, and the general public.
Ghana’s selection is a testament to the country’s commitments to achieving the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and prioritising education-sector investments to promote reading and literacy, access, equity, and quality education for all. The logo for the Accra World Book depict the vision of Accra World Book Capital, 2023 (AWBC, 2023). Thus, it expresses ‘two people connected through a book’. This is a pictorial view which shows that ‘Ghana is ready to connect globally through books, to bring about the desired social change in Accra, Ghana, and the world at large’.
The event will be marked with a series of activities throughout the year, highlighting, engaging, and promoting reading in schools and in the communities.
