Accra: The Ghana Publishers Association (GPA) has inaugurated a new National Council, emphasizing the need to reposition the publishing sector as a core component of education, culture, and national development.
According to Ghana News Agency, at a ceremony in Accra, the newly elected President, Mr. Edward Yaw Udzu, expressed appreciation to the Association's members for their trust in the new leadership. He committed to serving with humility and a strong sense of responsibility to both the industry and the nation. Mr. Udzu highlighted the importance of publishing as not just a commercial activity, but as a cornerstone of education, cultural preservation, and sustainable development.
With over 30 years of professional experience in publishing, marketing, and law, Mr. Udzu identified several challenges facing Ghanaian publishers, such as rising production costs, currency fluctuations, piracy, limited market access, and the need for innovation to meet changing educational and technological needs. Despite these challenges, he saw opportunities for reform, collaboration, and growth if industry stakeholders worked together.
Mr. Udzu outlined four strategic priorities for the Council's 2026-2028 mandate. The first priority is sustained engagement with the government to recognize the publishing industry as a strategic partner in national development, particularly in education and literacy. The Association plans to advocate for a national policy on the periodic purchase of books for public institutions, which would enhance educational outcomes and create a sustainable local market for Ghanaian publications.
The second priority is to build a resilient and innovative publishing ecosystem through partnerships with educational institutions, development partners, international publishing bodies, and digital platforms. Mr. Udzu emphasized positioning print and digital publishing as complementary tools for modern learners and readers.
The third priority is the robust protection of intellectual property, as piracy undermines creativity and investment. The Association will collaborate with CopyGhana, law enforcement, and state institutions to strengthen enforcement and public education on intellectual property rights.
The fourth focus area is capacity building and membership growth, with an emphasis on training, professional development, and market intelligence to enable Ghanaian publishers to compete locally and across Africa. Mr. Udzu promised that transparency, inclusivity, and accountability would guide the Council's activities, serving publishers of all sizes with fairness and integrity.
Mr. Udzu called for collaboration with the government, development partners, and the media, reaffirming the Association's readiness to contribute to education and cultural policy. He recognized the media's role in shaping national discourse on literacy and development.
The newly inducted Council includes Vice President Ms. Harriet Adelaide Tagoe, Honorary Treasurer Mr. Emmanuel Nyarko, Honorary Secretary Mr. Dan Konoh Odei, and members Mr. Stephen Brobbey, Mr. Emmanuel Boison, Dr. Joseph Albert Quarm, Nana Djan Amaniampong, and Nana Kwasi Dankyi Mensah. Dr. Francis Kofi Nimo Nunoo, Head of the Publishing Studies Department at KNUST, joins as a co-opted member, while Mr. Asare Konadu Yamoah serves as an ex-officio member and Mr. Benjamin Tawiah Klu continues as Executive Secretary.
The ceremony marked the formal leadership transition as the Association embarks on a path toward a stronger, innovative, and unified publishing industry in Ghana.