Ghana International Book Fair takes reading campaign to Makola Market

The Ghana International Book Fair has ventured beyond traditional educational settings to promote reading, engaging traders and the public at Makola Market in Accra. This initiative, titled "Reading with Everyone," brought books directly into the bustling commercial area, encouraging traders, workers, and shoppers to incorporate leisure reading into daily life.

Yvonne Bosman, Executive Director of the Ghana International Book Fair, explained that the outreach aimed to demonstrate that reading is not confined to schools or libraries. Organisers visited Makola Market with donated books, urging people to take time from their busy schedules to read. The initiative sparked curiosity among market traders, with some stopping to interact with the organisers, browse the books, and join discussions on the importance of reading.

Market women, who would typically not associate reading with their trade, participated in the event and even tried reading themselves, fostering lively conversations about the value of reading. The organisers engaged the market women in conversations about their experiences with books, encouraging them to develop the habit and promote reading among their children.

Bosman emphasized that reading could occur anywhere and should be accessible to individuals regardless of their occupation, age, or educational background. The outreach was aimed at promoting leisure reading and reconnecting people with books, both in English and Ghanaian languages. This activity is part of a broader campaign leading up to the 23rd Ghana International Book Fair, scheduled for August 27 to 30, 2026, at the National Theatre of Ghana.

This year's theme is "Transforming Ghana’s Future Through Books." Bosman encouraged the public to attend the fair to explore the diverse books and activities available during the four-day event. The fair aims to showcase books as tools for education, creativity, imagination, and lifelong learning, especially in an era where digital entertainment competes for people's attention.

The 23rd edition will bring together various stakeholders, including publishers, authors, writers, booksellers, librarians, educators, academics, students, policymakers, development partners, the media, and book lovers. Other notable activities include the Ghana Star Reader, a national reading competition for students, and Reading with Champions, an interactive program featuring acclaimed personalities from various sectors engaging with children.

These initiatives aim to inspire young people with positive role models and highlight the importance of education, discipline, and leadership. The Fair will also feature a dialogue on addressing the decline in Ghana’s reading culture and exploring sustainable methods to promote reading and enhance literacy. Workshops for industry professionals and a seminar on utilizing film to bring books to life are among other highlights.

The organisers are committed to encouraging parents, teachers, schools, and libraries to integrate leisure reading into their activities, while publishers and booksellers are urged to make quality books accessible, and authors to continue telling Ghanaian stories. Participation from numerous countries, including the UK, US, Canada, India, Nigeria, Kenya, South Africa, and Egypt, underscores the Fair's international reach, while its primary focus remains on Ghanaian readers, particularly the younger generation.