Ghana Publishers Association launches golden jubilee: To commemorate 5 decades of indigenous literary excellence

By Ernest Bako WUBONTO

The Ghana Publishers Association (GPA) has officially launched a year-long series of activities to commemorate its 50th anniversary.

The milestone, which is under the theme “50 years of indigenous publishing: Our stories, our future,” serves as both a reflection on the association’s transformative journey and a strategic pivot toward a digitally driven future.

The celebration also aims to highlight the GPA’s indispensable role in Ghana’s national development since its inception in 1976.

Over the last five decades, the association has evolved from a small group of pioneering firms into a robust body of over 180 members, making it one of the largest cultural industry organisations in the country.

Speaking at the launch in Accra, the President of the GPA, Edward Yaw Udzu, paid tribute to the publishers who built the foundation of the industry.

He noted that Ghanaian publishers have produced the textbooks that sustain the educational system, nurtured local authors and preserved indigenous languages through print; adding that by creating employment across the entire book value chain, from editors and printers to booksellers and librarians, the GPA has fostered a vibrant ecosystem that supported national literacy and knowledge development.

“50-years ago, visionary Ghanaian publishers came together with a bold conviction—that Ghana must tell her own stories, publish her own knowledge and shape her own intellectual destiny.

“When Ghanaian children read books written by Ghanaian authors and published by Ghanaian publishers, they do more than read stories—they discover themselves. They discover their identity, they understand their history and they begin to imagine their future,” he said.

Activities

The anniversary calendar features a diverse array of events, including World Book and copyright day celebrations, an international publishers’ day seminar, a high-level industry conference and an anniversary awards night to honour those who have shaped the sector.

The history of the GPA is deeply intertwined with Ghana’s post-colonial identity. Following the first international book fair held in Africa – south of the Sahara in 1967, the urgent need for a home-grown publishing industry became apparent. With the support of UNESCO and the Ghana Book Development Council, the GPA was established in 1976.

Founding members such as Afram Publications, Sedco Publishing and Anowuo Educational Publications paved the way for an industry that prioritises Ghanaian perspectives.

A landmark achievement occurred in 2005 when the GPA successfully advocated for a national textbook policy that allowed 18 indigenous publishers to win major contracts, effectively indigenising the production of educational materials for the Ministry of Education.

Looking toward the next 50 years, Mr. Udzu emphasised that while technology is redefining reading habits, it also offers unprecedented opportunities for innovation.

He urged members to embrace digital publishing, e-books and audiobooks to ensure Ghanaian content remains accessible in a globalised world.

“The association remains committed to its advocacy role, working alongside partners like the African Publishers Network (APNET) and the International Publishers Association to ensure that Ghanaian stories find a place not only on local shelves but on the global stage,” he added.

As a non-profit trade association, the GPA continues to serve as the collective voice for book publishers in Ghana. It remains dedicated to organising training schemes, encouraging research into industry problems and promoting the Ghana International Book Fair as a flagship event for literacy.

As the golden jubilee celebrations begin, the association reaffirms its belief that the true wealth of Ghana lies in the knowledge and stories of its people.

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