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Build reading culture from childhood —Experts
Experts in Africa’s book industry have stressed the need to build a strong reading culture from childhood if the continent is to develop a vibrant publishing sector.
This call was made during a panel discussion in Accra on the theme “The State of the Book and Publishing Industry in Africa”.
The panel featured Dr Martin Egblewogbe, Co-Founder of Writers Project-Ghana; Dr Mrs Lucy Ry-Kottoh, Head of the Department of Publishing Studies at KNUST; Dr Wale Okediran, Secretary General of the Pan African Writers Association (PAWA); and Mr Kwabena Agyapong, Chief Executive Officer of Education Logistics.
Mr Agyapong argued that developing a love for books must begin early in life. “When books are given to children early, they grow up loving to read,” he said.
He urged government to enact policies that would ensure books were available in schools and homes, stressing that this was key to nurturing future readers and sustaining the industry.
The panelists agreed that accessibility and inclusiveness were also critical.
Dr Mrs Ry-Kottoh said publishing should serve everyone, regardless of background or ability.
“Nobody should be left out because they cannot see, hear, or read in the usual way,” she noted, calling for wider use of audiobooks, braille, and other inclusive formats.
She added that technology was already helping to expand access. “Audiobooks now give opportunities to people who are blind or too busy to read. These innovations can help grow our market,” she said.
Dr Egblewogbe highlighted how reading habits are shifting, especially among young people.
“Many now enjoy stories on phones, social media, and even through games. If we do not move with the times, we will lose our young readers,” he warned.
For his part, Dr Okediran of PAWA raised concerns about the profitability of publishing in Africa.
He cited high production costs, weak distribution systems, and low reading culture as barriers to growth, and called for government support and private sector partnerships to sustain the industry.
The panelists concluded that while publishing faces many challenges, building a strong reading culture from childhood is the foundation upon which a thriving book industry can be built.
By Esinam Jemima Kuatsinu
Ahyiresu and Abofrem, two quiet communities in the Atwima Mponua District, have been shaken to the core by a chilling midnight drama that reads like a nightmare.
A pastor and a young mother stand accused of attempting to bury a five‑month‑old baby girl alive, a crime that has ignited outrage and disbelief across the township.
According to police, Apostle Richmond Akwasi Frimpong, 36, Head Pastor of the Anointed Grace Prayer Ministry at Kuffour Camp, conspired with his uncle Emmanuel Appiah, 53, and the child’s mother, 23‑year‑old Beatrice Agyapomaa, to dispose of the infant, Anaya Achiaa, under the cover of darkness.
A fourth suspect, Emmanuel Donkor, remains on the run.
The suspects were caught near a refuse dump around 10 pm on April 9, 2026, after a vigilant resident, Akwasi Twezor, noticed their suspicious movements.
When confronted, they claimed the child was already dead and had palace approval for burial. But Twezor’s instincts proved right—the baby was still alive, gasping faintly for breath.
Chief Linguist, Nana Yaw Badu, later confirmed that Frimpong had misled him earlier in the evening, securing permission for burial by falsely declaring the child dead.
The infant was rushed to the Abofrem Clinic, where she is now responding well to treatment. Police described her as “very beautiful.”
Assistant Superintendent of Police (ASP) Evelyn Yitamkey, Commander of DOVVSU in Bibiani, confirmed that the suspects have been provisionally charged.
Frimpong faces attempted murder and conspiracy charges, while Agyapomaa and Appiah are charged with conspiracy and abetment.
They were remanded by the Bibiani Circuit Court, presided over by Judge Frank Asiedu Nimako, to assist investigations.
The docket has been forwarded to the Attorney General’s Department for advice, ASP Yitamkey indicated.
The attempted crime has provoked fury among residents, many suspecting ritual motives aimed at bolstering the pastor’s influence.
Crowds attempted to attack the suspects outside court, but police intervention prevented mob justice.
The Assembly Member for Ahyiresu, Yusuf Suleiman, has assured residents that justice will be pursued swiftly.
From Kingsley E. Hope, Kumasi
The forecourt of the African University of Communications and Business (AUCB) in Accra came alive on Friday with colour, creativity and innovation, as Level 300 students transformed the space into a lively exhibition of ideas.
Under the theme “Building meaningful brands beyond the logo,” the students invited patrons into a world where ordinary products were reimagined through storytelling, design and purpose.
From scented candles to innovative food concepts, each stand told a unique story, one that went beyond aesthetics to capture identity, value and human connection.
For many of the students, the event was more than just an academic exercise; it was a moment to dream out loud.
Guided by their lecturer, Peter Wonders, they explored what it truly means to build a brand in today’s competitive world where trust, consistency and experience matter just as much as logos and slogans.
Chairman of the occasion, Nana Kum Gyata VI, in his remarks said a brand is what people say about you when you are not present.
At the end of the presentations, awards were presented to deserving groups with Vida Nyaneba emerging as the overall best branding student.
By Esinam Jemima Kuatsinu
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