Ghana Aims to Become West Africa's Publishing Hub by 2030

Ghana's publishing industry just took a major step toward reshaping education and culture across West Africa. The Ghana Publishers Association inaugurated a new council in Accra on January 22, committing to an ambitious vision that could transform how millions of African children learn and see themselves in books.

Edward Yaw Udzu leads the newly formed council as President, alongside Vice President Harriet Adelaide Tagoe and a team of industry veterans. The ceremony at GNAT Hall brought together publishers, educators, and development partners who recognize publishing as essential to Ghana's cultural identity and educational future.

The outgoing President, Asare Konadu Yamoah, challenged the new leadership to stay focused on making Ghana a regional publishing hub by 2030. He described books as "powerful tools for education, culture and innovation" rather than just printed pages.

During his tenure, Yamoah built the foundation through seven key initiatives including digital transformation, educational publishing, and promotion of African languages. His work aligned with the African Union's Agenda 2030 for education, positioning Ghana to lead innovation in publishing across the continent.

President Udzu brings over 30 years of experience in publishing, marketing, and law to his new role. He emphasized that publishing drives national development by shaping minds, supporting learning, and transmitting values across generations.

The new council identified four strategic priorities to accelerate progress. First, they will strengthen partnerships with government to establish predictable policies for purchasing books for public schools and libraries.

Udzu welcomed recent government funding for educational infrastructure and textbooks for kindergarten through junior high students. However, he called for transparent procurement guidelines to ensure fairness and accountability.

Second, the council plans to build partnerships with educational institutions, development organizations, and digital platforms. They view print and digital publishing as complementary tools for reaching modern learners.

Third, they will tackle piracy by working with CopyGhana and law enforcement to protect intellectual property. Piracy currently undermines creativity, investment, and livelihoods across the industry.

The council also recognizes the challenges ahead, including rising production costs, currency pressures, and limited market access. Yet they see these obstacles as opportunities for reform through collective action.

The Ripple Effect

This vision extends far beyond Ghana's borders. When African children learn from books reflecting their own cultures and stories, they develop stronger identities and higher aspirations. Publishers across West Africa could follow Ghana's model, creating a regional ecosystem where African knowledge, languages, and perspectives thrive in education.

The investment in local publishing also keeps educational resources affordable and culturally relevant. Rather than depending on imported textbooks, Ghanaian students will learn from materials designed specifically for their context and future.

By 2030, Ghana's children may grow up seeing their languages, histories, and innovations celebrated in every classroom book they open.