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Build reading culture from childhood —Experts
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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
The New Patriotic Party (NPP) has strongly criticised the decision of the Court of Appeal to acquit and discharge former Chief Executive Officer of the Microfinance and Small Loans Centre (MASLOC), Sedinam Christine Tamakloe Attionu.
In a statement issued on July 30, 2026, the party described the ruling as a “travesty of justice” and claimed it was politically motivated.
The Court of Appeal on Thursday overturned her conviction and 10-year prison sentence, which had been imposed by the High Court in April 2024 on charges including stealing, causing financial loss to the state, money laundering and breaches of the Public Procurement Act.
According to the NPP, the former MASLOC boss was tried for five years and convicted after the High Court examined evidence relating to alleged financial irregularities during her tenure between 2013 and 2016.
The party noted that she left Ghana while the trial was ongoing and was later extradited from the United States, arriving in Ghana on June 9, 2026.
The NPP argued that the trial court had found that her actions caused a loss of nearly GH¢90 million to the state and that the evidence against her was substantial.
It questioned why the conviction was overturned barely seven weeks after her return to Ghana.
The party further accused the Attorney-General of using state institutions to protect people connected to the governing party.
It claimed that several cases involving persons affiliated with the government had been discontinued since January 2025 and that the acquittal of Madam Tamakloe Attionu was part of that pattern.
The NPP linked the decision to the ongoing case involving its Ashanti Regional Chairman, Bernard Antwi Boasiako, popularly known as Chairman Wontumi.
It called for his immediate acquittal and discharge, arguing that his conviction was also politically motivated.
The party demanded that the Attorney-General publish details of all cases involving persons linked to the governing party that have been withdrawn, discontinued or otherwise terminated since January 2025, including the reasons for those decisions.
It called on the Judicial Council and the leadership of the Judiciary to take steps to restore public confidence in the justice system.
The NPP said it would pursue all lawful avenues, including a possible review at the Supreme Court where applicable, to ensure accountability in cases involving public funds.
The party maintained that the fight against corruption must not be selective and that public resources belong to all Ghanaians.
By: Jacob Aggrey
Former Attorney-General Godfred Yeboah Dame has disagreed with the Court of Appeal’s decision to acquit former MASLOC Chief Executive Officer Sedina Tamakloe Attionu, insisting that the prosecution proved its case beyond reasonable doubt.
Mr Dame made the remarks after the Court of Appeal unanimously overturned her conviction and 10-year prison sentence.
He maintained that the evidence presented by the prosecution during the trial was credible and sufficient to support the conviction.
According to him, Ms Tamakloe absconded after she had been confronted with evidence led by the prosecution.
Mr Dame questioned the basis for the acquittal and suggested that the current Attorney-General should explain what led to the Court of Appeal’s decision.
He wondered whether the appeal had been strongly opposed by the state.
When asked whether he would advise the Attorney-General to challenge the ruling, Mr Dame answered in the affirmative.
“Oh, definitely,” he stated.
The former Attorney-General spoke about the ongoing criminal case involving former Finance Minister Ken Ofori-Atta.
He indicated that an application for stay of proceedings filed at the High Court had been dismissed, and that a fresh application had been filed at the Court of Appeal.
Mr Dame argued that the charge sheet in the case was defective and that the appellate court should determine the issue before the trial proceeds.
He further criticised the decision to hear the case during the legal vacation, describing it as an “unjustified haste” and saying such trials had not been conducted during vacation periods in the past.
Mr Dame said his legal team would formally protest the directive allowing the case to proceed during the vacation.
The Court of Appeal’s ruling in favour of Ms Tamakloe has become a major legal and political issue, with the Attorney-General’s Department already announcing plans to appeal the decision at the Supreme Court.
By: Jacob Aggrey
