Statement on world book and copyright day

Statement on world book and copyright day, the 23rd day of April is celebrated as World Book and Copyright Day.

This year, the Ghana Publishers Association together with stakeholders notably, the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation (UNESCO), Copyright Office, the Ghana Association of writers, the Ghana Library Authority and the Ghana Book Development Council had planned to observe the day with activities at the Aburi Girls Senior High School.

It was intended to be a memorable experience to acknowledge the role and contribution of students in the promotion of books and development of the Book Industry.

We are all aware of the unfortunate circumstance the world finds itself. We have been forced to revise our way of life by the Coronavirus pandemic which has virtually disrupted every activity that has been planned.

The World Book and Copyright Day celebration cannot be held at the venue we had selected and we are unable to congregate due to the measures instituted to contain the pandemic and reduce the potential of having a catastrophe.

April 23 is an important date for the Book Industry and world literature. A day that was set aside by the UNESCO to acknowledge the special contribution of books and authors to education, literacy and knowledge which have no doubt encouraged people to value reading and how it has contributed to social and cultural progress of human existence.

On behalf of the stakeholders, the Ghana Publishers Association would like to encourage all Ghanaians particularly students to continue to show their interest in the promotion of books and other literary works by reading and contributing to further the development of the industry.

EFFORTS TO PROMOTE READING IN THIS PANDEMIC

As part of encouraging reading during the lockdown, the Ghana Library Authority (GhLA) and the Ghana Publishers Association have collaborated to provide electronic books for the GhLA’s online reading platform to provide reading materials (Fiction, Non-fiction and Journals) for students and general readership.

Some of the publishers are also making books accessible to readers via their websites to help engage readers to read more in this period.

The Ghana Publishers Association can assure everyone that publishers will keep publishing books to develop the educational system and enhance literacy for personal and national development.

I take this opportunity to advise all Ghanaians to adhere to the directives of the President of Ghana as we unanimously fight against the Coronavirus.

Mr Asare Konadu Yamoah

President

Ghana Publishers Association