By The President of the Ghana Publishers Association (GPA), Edward Yaw Udzu, has called on the government to invest more in Ghana’s publishing industry.
He stressed that the sector plays a critical role in national development, education and cultural preservation.
Speaking in an interview with journalists on the sidelines of the Association’s 50th anniversary launch at the Ghana Press Centre on Tuesday, Mr Udzu reflected on the origins of the indigenous publishing movement in Ghana and outlined plans for activities to mark the golden jubilee.
Mr Udzu recounted that before the formation of the GPA, the country’s educational system relied heavily on books produced outside Ghana.
According to him, many of the textbooks used in classrooms were foreign publications, leaving little room for Ghanaian voices and perspectives.
“There was a time when there was nothing like Ghanaian publishers,” he said. “Many of the books that were in our schools and classrooms were foreign products.”
He explained that this situation prompted a group of indigenous publishers to take action in 1976 by forming an association aimed at promoting locally produced books and ensuring that Ghanaian stories were told by Ghanaians themselves.
“That led to the formation of the Ghana Publishers Association,” he said.
Mr Udzu noted that the initiative received early support from the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO), which helped to strengthen the development of indigenous publishing in the country.
Through this movement, Ghanaian publishers were able to produce educational materials and literature that reflected local realities and cultural contexts.
“From then on, Ghanaians were able to own their story, own their curriculum and disseminate information through publishing to the populace,” he said.
Reflecting on the Association’s journey over the past 50 years, Mr Udzu said the industry has made considerable progress in improving the quality of locally produced books.
According to him, advancements have been recorded in writing standards, editing, book design and illustration.
“Over the years we have been able to improve the quality of the books and the quality of writing and illustration to a very high extent,” he said.
However, he acknowledged that the industry has also faced several challenges, particularly in gaining consistent access to schools and maintaining a strong reading culture among young people.
Mr Udzu expressed concern that reading habits among children have declined in recent years, a trend he described as worrying for the country’s educational and intellectual development.
To address this, the GPA has implemented a range of initiatives aimed at promoting reading among students.
“We realised that the reading culture had taken a nosedive,” he said.
He explained that the Association has organised reading campaigns, school visits and book fairs to encourage students to develop an interest in books written by Ghanaian authors.
These activities, he said, have helped indigenous publishers gain greater visibility within schools and communities across the country.
Mr Udzu also highlighted the growing influence of technology on reading habits, noting that many children now spend more time using digital devices such as tablets.
As a result, publishers are increasingly adapting their strategies to ensure that Ghanaian stories remain accessible to younger audiences.
“Our members have realised the need to innovate,” he said.
According to him, many publishers are now investing in digital platforms and electronic books in order to reach readers through the devices they commonly use.
“We are now doing what we call e-books and digital platforms so that we can position our stories on these technological platforms,” he explained.
This shift, he said, will enable Ghanaian children to continue learning about their culture and identity through literature even in an increasingly digital world.
Mr Udzu disclosed that the GPA’s 50th anniversary celebrations will feature a series of activities throughout the year aimed at strengthening the publishing ecosystem.
Among the planned programmes are workshops bringing together authors, illustrators and publishers to discuss emerging trends in the industry.
These engagements, he said, will help stakeholders better understand the evolving landscape of publishing and develop strategies for future growth.
“We intend to bring all the ecosystems in publishing together so that we can determine the trajectory of the industry,” he noted.
The Association also plans to intensify reading campaigns in schools and organise events to mark World Book and Copyright Day, which highlights the importance of books and intellectual property rights.
In addition, the GPA intends to organise training sessions for publishers to strengthen marketing strategies for books.
“Publishing books alone is not enough,” Mr Udzu said. “If the books remain on the shelves, it becomes discouraging, so we must also find ways to market them effectively.”
In his concluding remarks, Mr Udzu emphasised that the publishing industry has become an integral part of Ghana’s cultural and educational landscape.
“This is an industry that has come to stay,” he said.
However, he urged the government to recognise the sector’s importance and provide greater support to help it grow.
According to him, increased investment in publishing will not only strengthen education and literacy but also contribute significantly to national development.
“My prayer is that the government should see that Ghanaian publishing contributes to national development and invest in the industry,” he said.
“With that support, we will be able to do even more for the country.”
