Government urged to give contract to local publishing industry

Professor Daniel Bour, Provost of

the College of Arts, Social Science and Technology Department,

at the Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology

(KNUST), has asked government to give contract to local

publishing industries to print text books and other materials for

educational institutions in the country.
He asked the authorities to support the institutions to

enable them to operate efficiently to help improve the economy.

Prof. Bour was speaking at the Launch of the 25th

Anniversary celebration of the Publishing Studies Department of

KNUST, under the theme: “ 25 Years of Publishing Education in

Ghana”, at the Weekend in Kumasi.
He said plans were far advanced to elevate the Department into

a Faculty and to construct a new complex structure to

accommodate students.
Prof. Bour commended the Department for the gains

made over the years, saying the University was enthused by its

programmes to help manifest educational activities to the public.

Mr. Elliot Agyare, President of the Ghana Book Publishers

Association (GBPA), said, the book publishing industry should

not be left to develop on its own.
He urged the local publishing industry to partner the

Department to undertake specific priority projects that would

enhance the activities of the Department.
Mr. Joseph K. Onyina, Ashanti Regional Director of

Education, urged students to cultivate reading habit.

Mr. Reuben Glover, Head of Publishing Studies

Department of KNUST, said the programme which started with

nine students in 1984 had a current population of 736 and

produced over 800 graduates most of whom were employed in

various sectors of the economy.
He appealed to government to provide the Department

with resources, adequate infrastructure and Information

Communication Technology facilities to enhance teaching and

learning.