President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo has entreated governments, especially African leaders, to take advantage of the diverse linkages to culture and education that the World Book Capital(WBC) presents to deepen the collective action in the achievement of the 2030 Sustainable Development Goals(SDGs).
According to him, the World Book Capital 2023 has great potential to contribute to education, culture and wealth.
“For us in Ghana, the Accra World Book Capital is more than a reading campaign. It’s an opportunity for government and international partners to leverage on the diverse linkages to culture and education to deepen our collective actions to make progress on the 2030 Sustainable Development Goals.
“It is with pleasure to join you to launch the UNESCO World Book Capital 2023. Winning the World Book title of Accra is no mean an achievement. It’s a great potential to contribute to education, culture and the wealth of our nation. It’s also an acknowledgement of the giant strides Ghana and Africa are making to develop our book in creative industries as well as scale up the youth through the transformative power of reading for societal development,” Akufo-Addo remarked.
The World Book Capital Network (WBCN) acknowledges the power of books and reading as cornerstones to more inclusive, peaceful and sustainable societies.
The WBCN strengthens the World Book Capital programme’s existing commitment to literacy, lifelong learning, copyright, and freedom of expression after its relaunch as a network. The World Book Capital cities met in September 2022 to sign the Network Charter.
Speaking at the launch in Accra on April 23, President Akufo-Addo reiterated that more has to be done in the educational sector.
He said a recent UNESCO and African Union research indicates that millions of children are not attending school.
“At the primary level, the report suggests that one in five primary-age children are not in the classroom. While six in 10 adolescents are out of school due to several inter-linking factors. Again, 58 percent of upper secondary-aged children in sub-Saharan Africa do not attend school. This is the scenario completely unacceptable.”
He called on the private sector and corporate organisations to financially support the 2023 World Book Capital.
“I call on all stakeholders to come on board and support the programme for maximum impact. Further, I call on the private sector, corporate organisations, the UN family, foundations and similar institutions to support financially this exciting initiative that seeks to connect minds for socio-economic progress,” he appealed.
UNESCO adopted the 31 C/Resolution 29 in 2001, establishing the World Book Capital (WBC) programme and naming Madrid as the first WBC city in 2001.
Cities designated as UNESCO world book capitals undertake to carry out activities with the aim of encouraging a culture of reading and diffusing the Network’s values in all ages and population groups, both within and beyond national borders.
Through the WBC programme, UNESCO acknowledges a city’s commitment to promoting books and fostering reading during a 12-month period (between one World Book and Copyright Day, 23 April, and the next) as well as into the future.