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Story by, Paul Mensah Nsor
Accra, Ghana - In a landmark event celebrating literacy and educational innovation, Adwinsa Publications in collaboration with Ghana Library Authority launched the maiden edition of the Adwinsa Children's Book and Art Festival, marking a pivotal moment in the nation's commitment to childhood education and reading culture.
The festival, held in commemoration of World Children's Day 2020-2025, represented a powerful collaboration between the Ghana Library Authority, Adwiinsa publications, and local educational stakeholders. Mr. Alhassan Betintiche Ziblim, Executive Director of the Ghana Library Authority, delivered an inspiring opening address that underscored the critical importance of nurturing a generation of confident and imaginative learners.
"Today's celebration is a declaration of our commitment to raising a generation of confident, imaginative, and lifelong learners," Ziblim proclaimed, highlighting the festival's core mission to bridge the gap between book production and reading consumption in Ghana.
The event showcased several groundbreaking initiatives that promise to revolutionize access to reading resources across the country. Most notably, the National Children and Mobile Library will now operate extended hours, welcoming readers from 8 AM to 8 PM – a significant expansion from traditional library operating times.
Perhaps most innovative is the Ghana Library app, a digital platform that has been zero-rated by major telecom providers MTN and Telesal. This means children, parents, and educators can access a wealth of educational resources – including video tutorials, audio books, and ebooks – completely free of data charges. The app represents a massive step towards digital inclusion and removing financial barriers to learning.
The festival also unveiled plans to introduce reading sessions in multiple Ghanaian languages, including Chiga, Ewe, Fante, and Dagbani. This multilingual approach aims to celebrate Ghana's rich linguistic heritage while making reading more accessible and engaging for children across different communities.
In a significant legislative breakthrough, the Ghana Library Authority is in the process of reviewing its 55-year-old operational law. The proposed reforms include establishing a national library, creating presidential memorial libraries, and forming a Library Development Fund. Additionally, a new Library Council is being established to regulate the library profession, similar to other professional bodies in Ghana.
The day-long festival featured a diverse range of activities, including workshops, performances, reading sessions, and interactive conversations involving educators, students, and library professionals. The event culminated with a powerful message: building a reading society is a shared responsibility that requires collective effort.
"Let your imagination soar," Ziblim encouraged the young participants, embodying the festival's spirit of creativity and intellectual exploration. As Ghana continues to invest in its educational infrastructure, the Adwinsa Children's Book and Art Festival stands as a beacon of hope, demonstrating the country's unwavering commitment to empowering its youngest citizens through the transformative power of reading.
The festival not only celebrates books but represents a profound investment in Ghana's most valuable resource – its children. In a vibrant celebration of potential and promise, Adwinsa Publications (GH) Ltd. transformed an ordinary day into an extraordinary moment of hope for Ghana's youth during this year's World Children's Day commemoration.
CEO Adwinsa Publications, Kwaku Oppong Amponsah, emphasized the event's core philosophy, stating, "Children are our dreamers, they are our future." The gathering wasn't merely a celebration, but a strategic intervention aimed at redirecting young minds from digital distractions toward meaningful personal development.
A critical discussion emerged around declining reading habits, with speakers noting the increasing competition from television, social media, and artificial intelligence. Amponsah passionately argued that providing children with books is the key to reigniting their passion for learning. "If you throw books at children, the children will read," he stated, demonstrating this point by distributing free books and observing the children's enthusiastic engagement.
The event culminated with a set of clear, actionable recommendations for parents, educators, and policymakers: consistently provide children with reading materials, create supportive learning environments, and actively discourage negative behaviors like internet fraud and substance abuse.
As Ghana celebrates its young population, events like these serve as powerful reminders that investing in children's education and inspiration is the most potent strategy for national development.
