I had the privilege of representing the Ghana Association of Writers (GAW) at the recent launch of the Samira Bawumia Literature Prize (SBLP).
This event celebrated an anthology for the annual literature prize established by the Second Lady of the Republic of Ghana. It was my first time attending this event, alongside my colleagues from GAW.
I would like to commend the organizers, especially the First Lady, for such a powerful and insightful initiative. I hope for its seamless continuity and growth in the years to come.
The program featured individuals from various fields in the arts, including representatives from music and acting communities, media personalities, politicians, ministers, and members of the Pan-African Writers Association, among others. There were brief speeches from invited guests, as well as a panel discussion featuring the legendary Professor Lade Worsonu, making it a night filled with excitement.
A particular statement from Mr. Hayford Siaw, the CEO of the Ghana Library Board, inspired me to write this piece. Mr. Siaw lamented the decline of African (Ghanaian) novels on library shelves across the country and challenged all of us to write more African content. The lack of African (Ghanaian) content on library shelves isn’t due to a scarcity of writing; you would be surprised at the number of excellent writers and unpublished manuscripts gathering dust on desks. Our inability to bring these stories to life is largely due to the high costs associated with publishing and printing.
The skyrocketing costs of publishing novels in the country have hindered many young writers from realizing their dreams. Additionally, some publishers exploit writers, resulting in inadequate compensation. Many authors who seek to publish with established companies often find themselves underpaid. These publishers rarely market the books they publish while still taking a significant portion of the profits. As a publisher and someone involved in the writing industry, I have encountered popular figures who have published award-winning novels, only to terminate their contracts due to these unethical practices.
Another contributing factor is the Free Senior High School program, which we greatly appreciate. Previously, authors had the opportunity to pitch their books directly to schools; unfortunately, this is no longer the case.
Schools are now prohibited from purchasing directly from authors, and navigating the bureaucratic hurdles to get books into schools can be incredibly challenging—if it is even possible at all. People want to buy quality books at affordable prices, and achieving that is certainly feasible.
Day by day, new writers are emerging with compelling narratives about our people, our rich culture, and our identity. However, the closed system of accessibility, high material costs, and unnecessary bureaucratic obstacles continue to hold us back as writers.
I suggest that Ghanaian authors and the Ghana Library Board come to an agreement. Authors could sell their books to the board at a discounted price. Alternatively, the board could purchase a number of books from authors, and in return, the authors could provide some additional benefits.
Additionally, there could be a dedicated section of the library, separate from the main reading area, where only Ghanaian storybooks and novels are for sale. This would make it easier for people to access Ghanaian literature.
Teachers and school authorities should encourage students to visit the library and borrow books. Students could then share the stories they read with their classmates during leisure or entertainment hours. This was a practice in my school during my basic education years, and it helped nurture my love for books.
We appeal to the First Lady, a genuine lover of literature, to use her influence to help reduce taxes on literary publications. There should be a mechanism in place that allows quality books to be pitched to and purchased by schools. All fundamental aspects of a country’s growth rest on quality education and literacy.
While we may not all be part of the SBLP competition to make our voices heard, we are all contributors to the Ghanaian dream.
And that is my humble Ghanaian dream .