Hon. Mark Okraku-Mantey Launches The 20th Ghana International Book Fair

The Planning Committee launched the 20th edition of the Ghana International Book Fair (GIBF) on Thursday 8th June, 2023 at the CSIR-STEPRI Conference Room in Accra. The launch, organised to create public awareness of this year’s Book Fair and to highlight some of events which would be held, congregated high profile personalities, stakeholders, schools and media houses.

The Ghana International Book Fair will hold from August 10-13, 2023 at the Accra International Conference Centre, 9:00am – 6:00pm daily. The theme of the Book Fair same as that of the Accra World Book Capital is “Reading to connect minds for social transformation”.

Mr. Abdourahamane Diallo, Country Director, UNESCO Ghana chaired the event. He indicated that this year’s Ghana International Book Fair is special as it is organised under the auspices of the Accra World Book Capital. Mr. Diallo emphasised the relevance of books, reading and literacy for national development. He concluded that UNESCO will continue to support the Ghana International Book Fair, educational, cultural and creative sectors.

The GIBF Chairman and the President of the Ghana Publishers Association, Mr. Asare Konadu Yamoah delivered the GIBF review address and stated that “The Ghana International Book Fair has been one pillar of our cultural heritage that has offered this country the opportunity and experience that has helped the private sector to make significant impact on the Ghanaian book industry.”
“Coincidentally, this year marks the turn of Accra to host the prestigious UNESCO World Book Capital. An impressive ceremony was held on the 24th of April 2023 for the official handing over of the baton to Accra from Guadalajara, Mexico.”

Mr. Yamoah intimated that “there is no doubt that the flourishing Ghanaian book industry was a factor in the selection of Accra. Over the years, consistent programmes and initiatives of GIBF have featured the Ghanaian book industry in the global pedestal of book industry news.”

The Special Guest of Honour, the Deputy Minister of Tourism, Arts and Culture (MoTAC) Hon. Mark Okraku-Mantey representing the Minister of MoTAC, Hon. Dr. Ibrahim Mohammed Awal made a brief profound speech and inspired the students present especially on the contributions of books and reading to where he is today. He advised the students to take reading seriously and highlighted some of the initiatives and projects by the Ministry in progress including Creative Arts SHS. Hon. Okraku-Mantey pledged the support of the Ministry of Tourism, Arts and Culture to the Ghana International Book Fair and the creative sector.

As part of the event, sponsors, partners and speakers of the 2019 GIBF were honoured. The sponsors honoured were Jay Kay Industries and Investments Ltd, Type Company, Buck Press; Print Plus Pvt Ltd and Wonder House Books all in India, Kasapreko Company Ltd, Sub-Saharan Publishers, Pegasus Publishing/Sec Print and Yumvita. The partners were Atinka Media Village, EPP Books Services and Kiddie Esports. The following speakers and personalities were also appreciated: Mr. Abdourahamane Diallo, Mr. Asare Konadu Yamoah, Mr. Stephen Brobbey (CEO, Stevebrob Publishing Services), Mrs. Ernesticia Lartey Asuinura (Executive Director, Ghana Book Development Council), Mr. Kenneth Kofi Asamoah (MD, Methodist Book Depot), Mr. Edward Yaw Udzu (GIBF Director), Mr. Kwabena Agyepong (CEO, Education Logistics Ghana Ltd) and Mr. Francis Kumi Dadzie (Head of Graphic Design, Type Company Ltd.)



― Ernest Oppong