– Ghana, on Thursday, April 23, joined the world to virtually mark the World Book and Copyright Day.
The day was set aside by
the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation (UNESCO)
to acknowledge the special contribution of books and authors, such as William
Shakespeare, Miguel de Cervantes and Inca Garcilaso de la Vega, to education,
literacy and knowledge.
These contributions, the UNESCO notes, have
encouraged people to value reading and how it has contributed to social and
cultural progress of human existence.
In a statement to commemorate the Day, the Ghana
Publishers Association (GPA) , on behalf of its stakeholders, encouraged all
Ghanaians, particularly, students to continue to show their interest in the
promotion of books and other literary works by reading and contributing to
further the development of the industry.
The statement, signed by Mr Asare Konadu Yamoah,
the President of GPA, and copied to the Ghana News Agency in Accra, explained:
“This year, the Ghana Publishers Association, together with stakeholders,
notably, UNESCO, Copyright Office, the Ghana Association of writers, the Ghana
Library Authority and the Ghana Book Development Council had planned to observe
the day with activities at the Aburi Girls Senior High School.
“It was intended to be a memorable
experience to acknowledge the role and contribution of students in the
promotion of books and development of the Book Industry.
” We are all aware of the unfortunate
circumstance the world finds itself. We have been forced to revise our way of
life by the Coronavirus pandemic, which has virtually disrupted every activity
that has been planned. “
It said, to contain the pandemic and reduce the
potential of having a catastrophe, the event could, therefore, not be held at
the School.
Meanwhile, the GPA said, as part of encouraging
reading during the restriction on movements, it had collaborated with the Ghana
Library Authority to provide electronic books for the GhLA’s online reading
platform.
This was to provide reading materials (Fiction,
Non-fiction and Journals) for students and general readership.
Some of the publishers were also making books
accessible to readers via their websites to help engage readers to read more in
this period, it said.
“The Ghana Publishers Association can
assure everyone that publishers will keep publishing books to develop the
educational system and enhance literacy for personal and national
development,” the statement said.
The President of the GPA also advised all
Ghanaians to adhere to the directives of the President Nana Addo Dankwa
Akufo-Addo as citizens unanimously fought against the novel Coronavirus.
The Day has been marked by UNESCO since 1995.
This year, Malaysia, Kuala Lumpur is chosen to
be the World Book Capital for 2020.
There are four set of themes for World Book Day
2020.
They are: “Reading in all its forms” ;
“Development of the Book Industry Infrastructure; “Inclusiveness and
Digital Accessibility; and “Empowerment of “Children through
Reading”.
Source: Ghana News Agency