Support “Accra World Book Capital 2023” – Akufo-Addo to stakeholders in education

President Akufo-Addo has called on all stakeholders in Ghana’s education system and cultural industries to support the “Accra World Book Capital 2023” initiative, which takes up home in the country from today (24 April).

Essentially, cities designated as World Book Capital by the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) undertake to carry out activities with the aim of encouraging a culture of reading and diffusing the values of reading among all population groups within and outside the designated host nation’s borders.

Through the World Book Capital programme, UNESCO acknowledges the city’s commitment to promoting books and fostering reading during the 12-month period between one World Book and Copyright Day and the next.

Reignite the spirit of reading

President Akufo-Addo addressed guests at the official launch of Accra World Book Capital 2023, which took place at the Accra International Conference Centre (AICC) under the theme “Reading to Connect Minds for Social Transformation”.

He said the annual World Book Capital project has come to Accra to “reignite the spirit of reading and its inherent, transformative power to impact positively the Ghanaian society towards the goal of Ghana becoming a learning nation”.

“We are confident that the World Book Capital project will lay a strong foundation for Ghana and Africa to spear the implementation of the declarations emanating from the key continental and global education moments, including activities earmarked for the 2024 African Union Year of Education,” the president said.

“To achieve this, there is the need for collective thinking and collaborative working among stakeholders in the education and culture spaces. To this end, I call on all stakeholders to come on board and support the programmes for maximum impact.

“Further, I call on the private sector, corporate organisations, the UN family, foundations and similar institutions to support financial this exciting initiative that seeks to connect minds for socio-economic progress,” President Akufo-Addo said.

Linguistic diversity

Audrey Azoulay, the director general of UNESCO, who was the special guest of honour at the launch event, said she had taken note of the comprehensive programme for the year-long celebration of the World Book Capital celebration in Accra. She said she believes it will leave behind a lasting legacy in not only the city of Accra but also Ghana more broadly.

“In choosing Accra among many other cities that were candidates, we particularly appreciated the initiatives for literature in schools, through book trusts; the initiatives to bring books everywhere, including health institutions and prisons; the organising of reading events like the marathon, which is starting today; and the linking of literature with music, dance and theatre, aimed at building further the rich cultural diversity of the country,” Ms Azoulay said.

“I am delighted that many activities will showcase the country’s linguistic diversity, so that reading and writing is encouraged even more in one’s own language,” she said.

Selection process

The advisory committee for the World Book Capitals project – made up of one representative each of the International Authors Forum (IAF), the International Federation of Library Associations and Institutions (IFLA), the International Publishers Association (IPA) and one UNESCO representative – is in charge of examining and selecting applicant nations’ files.

A special effort is made to involve all regions of the world in turn, in conformity with the principle of geographical balance and in line with a range of quality criteria. The nominating committee meets once every year.

The UNESCO director general is responsible for designating the cities, following both internal and external consultations with the other members of the advisory committee.

The nomination does not imply any financial reward from UNESCO, but conquering the title of World Book Capital City represents an important symbolic acknowledgement, in terms of communication and promotion, and works to good effect for the winner city.

UNESCO

UNESCO seeks to build peace through international co-operation in education, the sciences and culture. Its programmes contribute to the achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals, defined in the 2030 Agenda adopted by the UN General Assembly in 2015.

As early as 1942, the governments of the European countries which were confronting Nazi Germany and its allies met in the United Kingdom for the Conference of Allied Ministers of Education (CAME).

World War II was far from over, yet these countries were looking for ways to rebuild their education systems once peace was restored. The project quickly gained momentum and soon acquired a universal character.

New governments, including that of the United States, decided to join in. At CAME’s proposal, a United Nations Conference for the establishment of an Educational and Cultural Organization (ECO/CONF) was convened in London from 1 to 16 November 1945.

Scarcely had the war ended than the conference opened. It brought together representatives of 44 countries who decided to create an organisation that would embody a genuine culture of peace.

In their eyes, the new organisation would establish the “intellectual and moral solidarity of mankind” and thereby prevent the outbreak of another world war.

Wilberforce Asare 

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