BRIEF HISTORY

The cultural role that books play in our lives and the continued importance of books to our technological advancement etc. inspired the organisers of the first ever international book fair in Ghana and sub Sahara Africa in 1969. After that fair, the fair went on a hiatus.

In 1987, the Ghana Trade Fair Authority took over the organisation of the book fair, which also was instrumental in the promotion of books and other literary materials. Then in 1996, the Ministry of Education in collaboration with the Ghana Book Publishers Association (GBPA) and other stake holders in the book industry like the Ghana Book Developement Council, Ghana Association of Writers, Ghana Library Board took over the running of the Ghana International Book Fair.

Ghana has in the past convened various trade fairs, but has never hosted one that exemplifies and promotes books. This fact makes the event unique to other fairs.

On the 5^th of November, 1996 Ghana joined the rest of the world in recognizing the importance of books towards national development. Ghana did this by hosting her first ever International Book Fair, which was held at the Ghana Trade Fair Centre in Accra. This has since become a historical day for Ghana and the Book Industry. Guests from the Ministry of Education, donor agencies and interested stakeholders attended the official opening and the fair itself.

In 2002, at the opening ceremony of the international book fair at the National theatre, the then Minister of Education, challenged the GBPA to lead the industry in taking over the organisation of the international book fair.  Since then, through the Ghana International Book Fair Organising Committee, organisation of the fair has been consistent.

In 2008, upon the success of the 7^th edition of the GIBF, the then biennial event became an annual event because of the success of the Fair.

The 8^th edition in 2009 which also took place at the National theatre was officially opened by the Minister of Trade, Madam Hannah Tetteh. Stakeholders of the Ghana International Book Fair witnessed the introduction of the Country of Focus concept. The Country of Focus was Nigeria. A day was set aside to promote Nigeria in the spheres of literary works and culture. This concept, the organisers explained, was to promote trade between Ghana and Nigeria since they had the highest number of exhibitors that had participated in the Ghana International Book Fair over the years. The fair witnessed an increase in the number of exhibitors from Nigeria.

The book fair is a cultural event that projects the country’s literary culture. It is also a generator of foreign direct investments. The numerous visitors and participants to the book fair are all considered potential tourists and investors.

The successes of the Ghana International Book Fair over the years have largely been attributed to the active participation of our international visitors particularly Nigerian Publishers and printers and publishers from India, and the contributions and commitments by some individuals and organisations. Institutions such as the Ministry of Education, Canadian Organisation for Development through Education (CODE), the Ghana Book Trust,  the African Publishers Network (APNET), the World Bank Publishing Department and others equally relevant  have continued to support the international book fair  and have also boosted the morale of the organisers.

The Ghana International Book Fair offer African Publishers the gateway to West Africa in terms of trade opportunities. There are a variety of exhibitors and visitors offering meaningful exchange in selling rights, co-publishing, joint ventures and direct buying. Some publishers have noted that they had been busy selling and buying rights during GIBF.

GIBF is quite educational as it shows that effective promotion resulting in a successful book Fair.

The Fair this year intends to showcase Ghana’s Cultural Heritage especially in the literary sphere. It will provide an opportunity for the Book Industry to display their new editions and a marketplace for networking and for trading of rights among stakeholders in the sub-region. Again, a platform is also being created for dialogue with policymakers to find solutions to enhance the reading culture especially among school-going children, addressing issues that relate to books and their impact on National Development.