23rd Ghana International Book Fair to promote reading culture among young people

The 23rd Ghana International Book Fair is set to commence on August 27, 2026, at the National Theatre of Ghana, running through to August 30, 2026. Under the theme "Transforming Ghana’s Future Through Books," this four-day event aims to gather a diverse group of stakeholders from the book industry. These include publishers, authors, booksellers, librarians, educators, policymakers, development partners, the media, and book enthusiasts.

The Fair is designed to facilitate the exchange of ideas, foster networking, and celebrate Ghanaian literature.

Edward Yaw Udzu, Chairman of the Fair, emphasizes that it has evolved from a simple book display platform to a significant hub for the broader book ecosystem. It serves as a platform for interaction, trade, idea exchange, and the strengthening of connections among industry players, both local and international.

A key focus of this year's Fair is the Ghana Star Reader competition, a maiden national reading competition aimed at young people. This competition will test students' reading abilities and promote a stronger reading culture. It will encourage students to showcase their fluency, comprehension, active reading, and listening skills in English and Ghanaian languages.

To further engage young people, the Fair will introduce "Reading with Champions," an interactive program. This program will connect children with accomplished individuals from various sectors, including business, government, sports, and the creative arts. These individuals will read to children and engage them directly, exposing them to positive role models and encouraging them to develop strong reading habits.

Ms Yvonne Bosman, Executive Director of the Fair, highlighted that the initiative aims to nurture students while fostering a culture of reading. She believes that books are more than just printed pages. They are vessels of knowledge, windows to new worlds, records of history and culture, and tools capable of shaping minds and changing lives.

The organisers believe that books are crucial for Ghana's development, given the country's future that is increasingly shaped by knowledge, innovation, creativity, and technology. They view books as catalysts for introducing possibilities, inspiring entrepreneurs, challenging established ideas, preserving cultural heritage, and empowering young people to dream beyond their current circumstances.

The Fair will offer a range of activities, including exhibitions, literary events, workshops, forums, competitions, and business networking opportunities. The opening ceremony will feature a dialogue on the state of reading culture in Ghana and discussions on developing practical solutions to promote reading and enhance literacy. There will also be workshops for industry professionals and a seminar exploring how books can be brought to life through film.

A book float is scheduled for August 21, 2026, at 10 a.m. in Central Accra, inviting the media and the public to participate. Despite acknowledging challenges such as rising production costs, piracy, limited financing, distribution difficulties, and declining reading habits, the organisers believe these issues also present opportunities for greater collaboration and a stronger, more innovative, and sustainable book ecosystem.

The Fair invites all stakeholders, including parents, teachers, students, schools, institutions, businesses, families, and the general public, to participate. The organisers invite all Ghanaians to "Read. Discover. Imagine. Create. Transform." The Fair will take place from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. daily at the National Theatre of Ghana under the theme "Transforming Ghana’s Future Through Books."