By: Rachel Kakraba
A Justice of the Supreme Court, Dennis Dominic Adjei, has urged the Ghana Publishers Association, GPA, to leverage the 2005 National Book Policy to promote and expand the local publishing and printing industry. He noted that the policy strongly supports local publishers and encourages industrial growth, adding that its effective implementation could significantly transform the fortunes of the industry.
“As part of the policy, the government reserves textbook contracts for local publishers and printers to boost local industry, create jobs, and stimulate economic growth. The policy mandated the government and its agencies to award hundred percent of government textbooks to local industries and give them priority in the production of textbooks.
Justice Adjei, was speaking at the 49th Annual General Meeting of the Ghana Publishers Association in Accra.
He expressed concern about the excessive politicization in the award of government contracts and urged the GPA to challenge the status quo.
“When you produce the textbooks, do they buy? When they buy, when are payments made? Don’t they have political colour? If you’re not in one government, are you likely to get contracts? These are the things that your body should come out with a common voice, Ghana is for all”
He said several new policies are needed to help strengthen and improve Ghana’s publishing industry.
Justice Adjei, an accomplished publisher himself, noted that publishers play a vital role in supporting government’s efforts to promote education, underscoring the need to strengthen the industry, which ultimately enhances national literacy.
“The ultimate aim of the government is to promote education through formal and informal education. Because we, in the industry, are assisting the government to promote literacy because the illiteracy rates are high. We need books, if you have good teachers without books, it’ll not work”
He urged the GPA to recognize that their work is interconnected and interdependent with broader industry ecosystems and to embrace change in order to create greater value.
“I will urge you to effectively collaborate with the industry ecosystem to enhance productivity and efficiency. Foster an inclusive work environment, share skills and expertise, promote information sharing to build strong working relationship and produce quality products to appeal to your customers”
Justice Adjei also called for capacity building within local industries to enhance product quality and enable them to compete effectively with foreign companies.
The National Programme Officer UNESCO Ghana, Carl Ampah, in a speech noted that publishing is the bedrock of cultural expression, literacyand lifelong learning. He stated that strong, coherent policies arecatalyst for transforming Ghana’s publishing ecosystem for national development.
“National Book Policy, National Reading Policy, and Textbook procurement policy formed the foundation for a modern resilient publishing sector capable of driving national growth. Effective policy creates the enabling environment where talent, innovation, and investment can flourish”
He mentioned that when aligned book reading and textbook policies could support education programmes reforms, promote cultural diversity, and stimulate the creative economy globally.
“The publishing industry’s contribution is significant. In the UK, books and journals add about 7.8 billion pounds to the economy and support 70,000 jobs. Across Africa, the sector represents about 5.4% of global publishing revenue, an opportunity that could grow to, $18.5 billion with sound reforms”
Mr. Peprah, said a national book policy provides the framework linking authors, publishers, printers, booksellers, and libraries toward shared goals, which could help Ghana foster local content, while remaining globally competitive.
He advocated the establishment of transparent standards for copyright pricing and intellectual property to protect creators and publishers, while advancing innovation.
He added “Through coherent policy frameworks, Ghana can transform publishing into a strategic national asset supporting sustainable development goals, SDG, notably SDG four, which is quality education, SDG eight. That’s decent jobs and economic growth. SDG 16, peace, justice, and strong institutions”
The Director Pre-Tertiary Education, Ministry of Education, Nana Baffour Awuah, acknowledged the publishing industry as a powerful vehicle for promoting literacy, education, and cultural exchange. He urged publishers to explore innovative approaches to making books more accessible and appealing to readers, especially in the digital era.
President of the Ghana Publishers Association, Asare Konadu Yamoah, called on the Ministries of Education and Culture to lead a dialogue aimed at shaping Africa’s publishing sector. He noted that such efforts would position Ghana to take full advantage of opportunities under the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA), including the establishment of a Continental Book Fair.
He also rallied support of all stakeholders to collaborate in developing a comprehensive national publishing policy that provides clear guidance and tangible incentives.
“Let us work together publishers, online sectors and policy makers to develop a comprehensive national publishing policy that offers direction, incentives, and the global relevance”
Mr. Yamoah recalled that between 1997 and 2002, stakeholders worked with the government to develop the National Textbook Development and Distribution Policy (TDDP), followed by a National Book Development Policy under the Ghana Book Development Council. He, however, expressed regret that discussions for their review have progressed slowly.
“These were milestones, but today, the TDDP is no longer relied upon, and fragmented policies have diluted our impact. Let us synchronize existing policies and make them relevant, purposeful, and future-facing.”
He urged publishers to champion policies that can serve as catalysts for industry growth.
“To my fellow publishers, let us become policy advocates. Let us raise our collective voice to highlight the transformative power of publishing. Let us transform our ecosystem – not just for publishers, but for every Ghanaian child who deserves to see themselves in the pages of a book,”
