In a country where minority of the citizens read books, the publishing firm is least of the firms into which one would ever venture. Ghana as a nation is noted for poor reading habit. Very few Ghanaians can boast of their personal library aside teachers and other professionals. Knowledge they say is power and Knowledge is bought. The average Ghanaian prefers “chilling” to buying books to equip himself with sufficient Knowledge to survive in this changing world. Despite this, the established and old authors and writers, have very little to worry about. With their connections around the nation and beyond, they get to send their works abroad where they are much appreciated. The burden then lies on the shoulder of the young writer. The young man who just completed S.H.S and has enough to put down in a form of writing to change the country, that young lady who is in the university and has so much to pen down in order to advice her peers on pertinent issues bothering the nation. Those are the people I refer to as the young writers and authors. These are young and vibrant people who have got the intellectual ability to put groups of words into beautiful and sensible stories and passages to transform society. These people are helpless but talented people whose works could change the face of the Ghanaian publishing industry. Poor reading habits coupled with inability to mobilise funds, forces these people into doing other menial jobs to get to gain ends meal. These are talented people, they are not meant for the gutters. They are not meant for the streets. They are not meant to be street hawkers or “kayaye”. It is sad but true that our generation and the next to come can never be innovative and more productive if we do not work to inculcate the habit of reading in ourselves. It is a popular joke that “If you want to hide something from the African, Put it into writing”. Yes, indeed. This is very true and real. In Africa, we do not see the essence of reading and this is one of the reasons why we are still trailing as a continent. Ghana being the star of Africa, must be the pacesetter in this campaign to encourage reading among the population. In my own humble opinion, I have some strong and useful suggestions for all stakeholders and co-operate bodies that see this call as being very important to the development of Ghana. They are:
*The Ghana publishers association should be made more youth friendly. This would enable the young to approach this association for support in the field.
*More associations and Organizations should come on board to sponsor and promote the works of young writers.
*Reading clubs should be setup in all basic and Senior high schools. This would help revive in the students, the habit of reading.
*Government should make provision for talented but needy writers to enable them also reach higher heights as their affluential counterparts.
*Finally, publishing should be made more affordable so as to enhance easy access to this service. I humbly use this medium to appeal to all touched souls to please join me in this campaign. We can do something now to save our future generation.
BY: GABLA GODWIN (G.GABLA)
A young writer and concerned Citizen
(gablagodwin99@gmail.com)
*The Ghana publishers association should be made more youth friendly. This would enable the young to approach this association for support in the field.
*More associations and Organizations should come on board to sponsor and promote the works of young writers.
*Reading clubs should be setup in all basic and Senior high schools. This would help revive in the students, the habit of reading.
*Government should make provision for talented but needy writers to enable them also reach higher heights as their affluential counterparts.
*Finally, publishing should be made more affordable so as to enhance easy access to this service. I humbly use this medium to appeal to all touched souls to please join me in this campaign. We can do something now to save our future generation.
BY: GABLA GODWIN (G.GABLA)
A young writer and concerned Citizen
(gablagodwin99@gmail.com)
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