Accra named UNESCO World Book Capital for 2023
President Nana Akufo-Addo has announced that Accra, Ghana’s capital city, has been named the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) World Book Capital for the year 2023.
Cities designated as UNESCO World Book Capitals are to carry out activities with the goal of encouraging a culture of reading and communicating the values of reading amongst all ages and population groups within and outside the chosen host nation’s borders.
Through the World Book Capital programme, UNESCO acknowledges the city’s commitment to promoting books and fostering reading during the 12-month period between one World Book and Copyright Day and the next.
Addressing the executive board of UNESCO at its 215th session in Paris, France, on Monday (10 October 2022), President Akufo-Addo said UNESCO’s decision to name Accra as the World Book Capital 2023 demonstrates the organisation’s recognition of ongoing reforms in the creative arts industry in Ghana and the rest of Africa.
“I am happy to inform you that Accra has been named the UNESCO World Book Capital for 2023, making our vibrant city part of the prestigious World Book Capital cities network.
I am happy to inform you that Accra has been named the UNESCO world book capital for 2023, making our vibrant city part of the prestigious world book capital cities network. https://t.co/YkPEzmZQF8
— Nana Akufo-Addo (@NAkufoAddo) October 10, 2022
“The year-long programme to celebrate this honour done us by UNESCO will commence from 23 April 2023, which is celebrated globally as the World Book and Copyright Day. I wish to use this platform to invite you all to join Ghana in this year-long celebration,” the president said.
”This is an acknowledgement of the giant strides that Ghana and Africa are making in developing our book and creative art industry and we thank you for your diverse contribution that made this possible.”
— Nana Akufo-Addo (@NAkufoAddo) October 10, 2022