The Ghana Publishers Association has joined the global celebration of this year’s World Book and Copyright Day with a renewed call for stronger national efforts to promote reading and tackle persistent literacy challenges across the country.
In a statement marking the occasion, celebrated worldwide under the theme “The Joy of Reading,” the Association described books as essential tools for education, innovation, cultural identity and national development.
While acknowledging Ghana’s progress in literacy over the past two decades, the Association said significant gaps in reading proficiency still exist, particularly among children and underserved communities.
Referencing UNESCO data, the Association noted that adult literacy in Ghana has risen from about 58 per cent in 2000 to more than 80 per cent by 2020, reflecting years of investment in education. However, it stressed that these gains do not fully reflect the quality of reading ability, especially at the foundational level.
According to the Association, reading remains critical to children’s academic development, helping to improve comprehension, vocabulary and communication skills while also fostering creativity and critical thinking.
It highlighted literacy initiatives such as Libraries Without Walls, which have helped improve reading outcomes by expanding access to books and creating supportive learning spaces for students.
The Association also linked literacy to economic growth, noting that strong reading skills contribute to higher productivity, better employability and increased income opportunities.
“Without strong reading skills, educational investments yield limited returns, workforce productivity declines, and economic growth is constrained,” the statement said.
Despite the gains made, the Association expressed concern about ongoing inequalities in literacy levels, particularly among women and rural communities where access to books, libraries and learning resources remains limited.
To help address the problem, it called for greater investment in library infrastructure, stronger support for local publishing and book distribution, increased promotion of reading in Ghanaian languages, and the inclusion of reading for pleasure within the school system.
As part of activities marking the 2026 celebration, the Association announced plans to partner with the Ghana Broadcasting Corporation and selected schools to organise reading programmes and promote books written by Ghanaian authors.
It also reaffirmed its commitment to advocating policies that strengthen the local publishing industry and improve nationwide access to reading materials.
President of the Association, Edward Yaw Udzu, urged government, educators, parents and development partners to work together to build a stronger reading culture across the country.
He said sustained investment in literacy would help raise an informed, productive population and support Ghana’s long-term development goals.
World Book and Copyright Day is observed annually on April 23 to promote reading, publishing and the protection of intellectual property through copyright.