Ghana Publishers Association calls for national book policy

The Ghana Publishers Association (GPA) has formally called on the government to establish a national book policy to address systemic challenges within the local publishing industry. Speaking at the association’s Golden Jubilee National Symposium held at the Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology (KNUST), GPA President Edward Yaw Udzu emphasized that the absence of a structured policy framework continues to hinder the growth of the sector. The symposium, which aimed to empower the future of books and literacy in Ghana, marked 50 years of the association's efforts to promote a reading culture.

Mr. Udzu highlighted several critical areas requiring immediate government intervention, specifically advocating for financial incentives and tax waivers to support local publishers. He noted that the high cost of production and the lack of fiscal support have made it difficult for indigenous companies to compete effectively. Furthermore, the GPA President expressed concern over the weak enforcement of copyright laws, which has left many authors and publishers vulnerable to piracy. This lack of protection significantly depletes potential revenue and discourages investment in new literary works, according to the association.

In addition to the call for policy reform, the symposium addressed ongoing debates regarding educational standards in the country. Keynote speaker Prof. Felix Narku Engmann raised concerns about proposed education reforms that suggest using local languages as the primary medium of instruction. Prof. Engmann pointed out the immense complexity of implementing such a shift at the senior high and tertiary levels, given Ghana’s diverse multilingual landscape. He suggested that while the intention might be to improve literacy, the practicalities of textbook production and standardized instruction in multiple local languages remain a significant hurdle.

The event concluded with a call for a more collaborative approach among all stakeholders, including the government, educators, and the private sector. The GPA maintains that with the right policy environment and robust intellectual property protections, the publishing industry can play a more pivotal role in the nation’s socio-economic development. Members of the association expressed hope that this 50th-anniversary milestone would serve as a catalyst for meaningful dialogue with the Ministry of Education to secure the future of the Ghanaian book industry.