{"id":102076,"date":"2025-11-05T20:10:39","date_gmt":"2025-11-05T20:10:39","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/sotnews.agency\/?p=102076"},"modified":"2025-11-05T20:10:39","modified_gmt":"2025-11-05T20:10:39","slug":"publishing-sector-must-drive-ghanas-economic-and-cultural-transformation-says-gpa-president","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/sotnews.agency\/?p=102076","title":{"rendered":"Publishing sector must drive Ghana\u2019s economic and cultural transformation, says GPA President"},"content":{"rendered":"
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\n \t<\/i> Read Time:<\/span>3 Minute, 18 Second <\/div>\n\n <\/div>
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The President of the Ghana Publishers Association (GPA), Mr Asare Konadu Yamoah, has called for a renewed national commitment to the publishing sector, describing it as a \u201cforce that can shift the soul of a nation\u201d and a \u201ccatalyst for Ghana\u2019s economic and cultural transformation.\u201d <\/p>\n

Speaking at the Association\u2019s 48th Annual General Meeting at the Accra City Hotel, Mr Yamoah highligted the urgent need for policy reforms that recognise publishing as a central pillar in national development. <\/p>\n

The event, themed \u201cPolicy as a Catalyst: Transforming Ghana\u2019s Production Ecosystem for National Economic Growth,\u201d brought together key stakeholders from government, education, and the creative industries. <\/p>\n

\u201cPublishing is more than an industry. It\u2019s a cultural compass, a developmental engine, and a mirror of our identity,\u201d Mr Yamoah declared in his opening remarks. \u201cIt preserves our stories, educates our youth, and amplifies the voices of our people. But quiet engines deserve louder recognition.\u201d <\/p>\n

\"Publishing<\/figure>\n

He lamented that despite its immense contributions to literacy, civic consciousness, and cultural preservation, Ghana\u2019s publishing sector remains \u201cunder-recognised, under-resourced, and under-leveraged.\u201d <\/p>\n

Policy as the Engine of Progress <\/strong><\/p>\n

Mr Yamoah described policy as \u201cthe architecture of possibilities,\u201d noting that well-designed frameworks can drive innovation, inclusion, and equitable growth.<\/p>\n

He urged government and industry players to collaborate in developing a comprehensive national publishing policy that aligns with Ghana\u2019s educational reforms and youth development agenda. <\/p>\n

He further called on policymakers to prioritise Ghanaian content in school curricula, ensuring that children learn from stories grounded in local values, languages, and lived experiences. <\/p>\n

\u201cWe must champion policies that will prioritise Ghanaian content in educational curricula, including the use of our local languages as the foundation of learning,\u201d he stated. <\/p>\n

Innovation, Inclusion, and Intellectual Property <\/strong><\/p>\n

Emphasising the importance of innovation, Mr. Yamoah called for increased investment in digital publishing platforms and inclusive formats to reach persons with disabilities, multilingual communities, and marginalised youth.<\/p>\n

\"Publishing<\/figure>\n

He also highlighted the need to review the Copyright Act (Act 690 of 2005) to strengthen intellectual property rights and ensure fair remuneration for authors and creators. <\/p>\n

\u201cFair remuneration and creative freedom empower authors, publishers, and cultural institutions to thrive and contribute to Africa\u2019s literary legacy,\u201d he noted. <\/p>\n

On partnerships and cultural preservation, the GPA President advocated stronger public\u2013private partnerships in textbook development, youth programming, and cultural preservation, urging government to create policies that attract direct investment into the publishing sector.<\/p>\n

\"Publishing<\/figure>\n

\u201cTransforming the publishing industry must be collaborative,\u201d he said. \u201cIt demands synergy between government, publishers, educators, civil society, and private sector institutions whose work aligns with publishing activity.\u201d <\/p>\n

A Continental Vision <\/strong><\/p>\n

Mr. Yamoah reminded stakeholders that Ghana must not lag behind in continental efforts to strengthen Africa\u2019s publishing industry.<\/p>\n

He referenced the Africa Rising campaign, launched in 2018 by the International Publishers Association and the African Publishers Network, and recent developments under the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA), which have created new opportunities for cross-border publishing. <\/p>\n

\u201cThis is a clarion call for Ghana. We must seize this momentum,\u201d he urged. \u201cLet us work together to develop a comprehensive national publishing policy that offers direction, incentives, and global relevance.\u201d <\/p>\n

\"Publishing<\/figure>\n

Reviving the National Framework<\/strong><\/p>\n

Recalling Ghana\u2019s earlier initiatives, including the National Textbook Development and Distribution Policy (TDDP) and the National Book Development Policy, Mr. Yamoah called for their urgent review and revitalisation.<\/p>\n

\u201cProgress has been slow,\u201d he admitted. \u201cThe TDDP is no longer a guiding framework, and fragmented book procurement policies have yielded limited impact. It is time for coordinated dialogue to make our policies relevant, purposeful, and future-facing.\u201d <\/p>\n