Accra witnessed the opening of the 22nd Ghana International Book Fair with a renewed call for inclusivity in publishing to ensure that literature reaches all segments of society, including persons with disabilities.
This year’s fair, held under the theme “Inclusive Publishing: Celebrating Accessible Literature,” highlighted the need for books in braille, large print, and audiobooks to support readers with visual and hearing impairments.
Mr. Asare Konadu Yamoah, Chairman of the Ghana International Book Fair (GIBF), noted that accessible publishing remained one of the least funded areas of the creative industry, calling for urgent state and private sector investment. “Books for readers with visual and hearing impairments have historically been underfunded and under-represented,” he stressed, urging the establishment of a dedicated national budget to support inclusive publishing.
Professor Smile Dzisi, Deputy Director-General of the Ghana Education Service, underscored the importance of inclusive literature in safeguarding knowledge and culture. “Without literacy, history would have been forgotten, culture would have withered, and progress would have been impossible,” she said, urging deeper investments in libraries, authors, and readers.
For her part, Dr. Angela Affran, Inclusive Education Coordinator for Transforming Teacher Education and Learning, emphasized the role of parents in building literacy habits from the home. She also called for enhanced capacity building for stakeholders in the publishing and education sectors.
Since its inception in 1996, the Ghana International Book Fair has positioned itself as a key literacy hub in sub-Saharan Africa, offering free literary events for students and capacity-building opportunities for professionals in the industry.
While the fair continues to advocate for better infrastructure for the creative arts sector, this year’s focus placed a spotlight on inclusivity, reminding policymakers and stakeholders that accessibility in literature is central to the nation’s educational and cultural transformation.
