Ghana International Book Fair 2026 Launches With Bold Call: “Put Reading at the Centre of National Development”

The 23rd Ghana International Book Fair will take place from August 27 to 30, 2026, at the National Theatre, with organisers urging Ghanaians to place reading at the heart of national development.

The four‑day event, themed “Transforming Ghana’s Future Through Books,” was officially launched on Thursday, August 20, 2026, in Accra.

Organised by the Ghana International Book Fair Governing Board, with support from the Ghana Printers and Paper Converters Association and the Bureau of Ghana Languages, the fair aims to reignite Ghana’s reading culture and strengthen the country’s book ecosystem.

Chairman of the Fair, Mr Edward Yaw Udzu Esq., said the event was not merely an exhibition but a national call to rediscover the power of reading.

“Books are far more than printed pages. They are vessels of knowledge, windows into new worlds, records of our history and culture, and powerful instruments for shaping minds and changing lives.”

He said the fair would convene publishers, authors, booksellers, librarians, educators, students, policymakers, development partners and book lovers to exchange ideas, discover new works and celebrate Ghanaian literature.

Mr Udzu noted that the fair would also provide a platform to address persistent challenges in the publishing industry — rising production costs, piracy, limited financing, distribution difficulties and declining reading habits. Yet, he stressed that these challenges also present opportunities for innovation, especially as digital technology and artificial intelligence reshape content creation and consumption.

He encouraged families, teachers and students to attend the fair and nurture a strong reading culture.

“To young people across Ghana: read widely, think deeply and dream boldly. Your future may begin with the pages of a book.”

Executive Director of the Fair, Miss Yvonne Bossman, echoed the call for Ghana to place books at the centre of its development agenda, describing reading as a foundation for innovation, leadership and national growth.

She said the fair would help reignite the culture of reading and position books as essential tools for transforming minds and communities.

The event will feature exhibitions, literary events, workshops, forums, competitions and business networking sessions, bringing together key players across the book value chain.

Among the highlights are:

• The maiden Ghana Star Reader National Reading Competition
• Reading with Champions, where accomplished personalities read to children
• Interactive sessions on literacy, publishing and the future of reading

Miss Bossman appealed to parents, teachers, schools, libraries, publishers, authors and businesses to support efforts to revive reading nationwide.

“The future of reading in Ghana cannot be built by one organisation alone. We call on everyone to participate.”

Participants are expected from several countries, including the United Kingdom, United States, Canada, India, Nigeria, Kenya and South Africa.

Organisers say the fair will assemble publishers, authors, educators, students, policymakers and book lovers for book sales, exhibitions, panel discussions and activities aimed at promoting literacy and knowledge.