Ghana is gearing up to solidify its commitment to literature and education by establishing an Accra World Book Capital (AWBC) legacy center. This initiative comes on the heels of the country’s successful tenure as the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) World Book Capital.
The AWBC legacy center aims to provide a dedicated space for writers and related professionals to foster a culture of reading and writing in the country. Elizabeth K. T. Sackey, the Chief Executive of the Accra Metropolitan Assembly (AMA), announced this plan during a wrap-up ceremony at the Accra City Hall. The event marked the transition of the World Book Capital title to Strasbourg, France.
Sackey revealed that a five-acre plot in Mamprobi Sempe has been earmarked for the construction of the AWBC legacy project. The ceremony, attended by state officials, writers, and book enthusiasts, celebrated Accra’s achievements during its tenure as the World Book Capital.
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Context
Accra was chosen as the World Book Capital for 2023 by UNESCO due to its strong focus on youth empowerment and their potential to contribute to Ghana’s cultural and economic wealth. Throughout its tenure, Accra organized various activities and programs to empower young people through literature.
These initiatives included reading sessions in schools, carnivals, festivals, inter-school debates, and training programs for Persons With Disabilities (PwDs). Efforts were also made to enhance access to books and educational resources, especially in underserved communities. The overarching goal was to nurture the socio-cultural identity of the youth and positively impact the country’s development trajectory.
Accra’s Achievements
Accra Mayor emphasized that the designation of the capital as the World Book Capital has brought global attention to the city and positioned the country on the world stage. She highlighted Accra’s accomplishments during its tenure and reiterated the theme “Reading to Connect Minds for Social Transformation” as the driving force behind Ghana’s literary aspirations.
The Mayor expressed hope that the Ministry of Education and other relevant agencies would continue programs and activities to promote a culture of reading, ensuring the lasting legacy of the World Book Capital title.
Assurance from Government
Samira Bawumia, the wife of the Vice-President, highlighted the privileges Ghana enjoyed during its tenure as the World Book Capital. She emphasized initiatives like the Books-to-Go Project and the African Story Box Project, which distributed over 10,000 books and ignited enthusiasm for reading.
Bawumia assured the public that the government, in collaboration with the private sector, would explore the establishment of a reading and creative writing facility in Accra to promote socio-economic growth through literacy.
Productive Initiative
Dr. Yaw Osei Adutwum, Minister of Education, highlighted the distribution of reading materials to schools and communities across Accra, Central, and Ashanti regions as part of the World Book Capital activities. He noted significant progress in achieving the objectives of the AWBC and stressed the importance of these achievements in addressing key issues in the book industry.
Anna Bossman, Ghana’s Ambassador to France and Permanent delegate to UNESCO, emphasized that the activities held during the World Book Capital year have laid the foundation for initiatives planned for the African Union Year of Education in 2024.
In summary, Ghana’s commitment to literature and education through the establishment of the Accra World Book Capital legacy center underscores its dedication to promoting a culture of reading and writing for socio-economic development.
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