The Ghana Publishers Association has joined the global community in marking World Book and Copyright Day with a renewed appeal for national efforts to promote reading and improve literacy levels across Ghana.
Celebrated under the theme “The Joy of Reading,” the Association emphasized that books remain essential for education, innovation, cultural expression, and national development.
While acknowledging progress in literacy over the past two decades, the Association noted that challenges remain, particularly in reading proficiency among children and underserved communities.
Citing UNESCO data, it highlighted that adult literacy in Ghana has risen from about 58% in 2000 to over 80% in 2020. However, it stressed that these gains do not fully reflect disparities in reading skills, especially at the foundational level.
The Association explained that strong reading abilities are key to improving comprehension, academic performance, creativity, and communication skills. It also linked literacy to broader economic outcomes, including employability and productivity, describing it as central to Ghana’s goal of building a knowledge-based economy.
It warned that weak reading skills can reduce the impact of educational investment and limit economic growth.
Despite progress, the Association expressed concern about unequal access to reading materials, particularly in rural areas and among women, where library resources remain limited.
To address these gaps, it called for increased investment in library infrastructure, support for local publishing, promotion of Ghanaian languages in reading, and the integration of reading for pleasure into school curricula.
As part of the 2026 commemorations, the Association announced plans to partner with the Ghana Broadcasting Corporation and selected schools to promote reading programmes and Ghanaian-authored books.
President of the Association, Edward Yaw Udzu, urged collaboration among government, educators, parents, and development partners to build a stronger reading culture.
World Book and Copyright Day is observed annually on April 23 to celebrate books, reading, and the protection of intellectual property.
Source: joynews
