Chennai: Twenty Ghanaian books, authored by Nana Manukure Kissiedu, featured prominently at this year's Chennai International Book Fair (CIBF), held in India from January 8-21, 2026. Nana Kissiedu was the sole Ghanaian among nineteen African publishers invited to the event, which saw participation from 150 international publishers representing over 100 countries.
According to Ghana News Agency, the fair was organized by the Government of Tamil Nadu, India, with the objective of promoting global literature and fostering cultural exchanges between Tamil Nadu and the world. The 2026 edition centered around the theme 'A Conversation Between Civilizations.'
The CIBF has experienced growth in global relevance, following successful editions in 2023, 2024, and 2025. It operates under the guiding vision of 'Bringing the World to Tamil; Taking Tamil to the World,' Nana Kissiedu shared in an interview. He described the event as a dialogue with book industry professionals and a chance to experience the culture and hospitality of Tamil Nadu.
The fair included international conferences, rights trading, and literary events. Nana Kissiedu emphasized the role of books as carriers of culture and tourism, suggesting that Ghana could benefit from increased investment and state sponsorship in organizing its own book fair.
He expressed concern over the lack of government funding and support for Ghana's book fair, which has diminished interest among foreign publishers. He advocated for government officials to attend such fairs to better understand their importance in promoting tourism.
Nana Kissiedu, with over 17 years in the book industry, is a seasoned writer, publisher, and entrepreneur. He has served as a former Executive Council Member of the Ghana Publishers Association and as a Director of the Ghana International Book Fair, contributing significantly to the promotion of books and the publishing ecosystem.