Take Ghanaians back
to reading - Mahama
Audio-visual medium can liberate the African
Accra (Greater Accra Region) 18 April 2000
Mr John Mahama, Minister of Communications, on
Monday asked writers and publishers to present to the government innovative
ways of bringing Ghanaians back to reading.
"Our poor reading habit is a key omission
we have to work at if we are to tackle effectively the high rate of illiteracy
and stimulate the local book industry," Mr Mahama said at the launching of
the "World Book and copyright day" in Accra.
The day, which falls on April 26, is under the
theme "Give a book today" and is expected to be preceded by a string
of activities to put to the fore problems, successes and challenges of the
publishing and copyright regime. The Ministry of Education, the Ghana Library
Board, the Ghana Book Publishers Association and UNESCO are packaging it.
"What happened to "Who killed
Nancy" and all the wonderful titles? Most of our writers are now one title
authors because they did not reap enough financial gains to move on."
The minister expressed optimism that in spite
of the numerous distractions, children could be encouraged to read, suggesting
that the mobile library system should be revisited.
"With all television channels and video
games at the disposal of the child, anyone who will expect a child to travel to
a library to read must be day dreaming. This is the time to bring the books at
their door step."
Audio-visual medium can liberate the African.
Accra (Greater Accra) 18 April 2000.
The most reliable and available tool for the
liberation of the African mind is the audio-visual medium, a filmmaker said on
Saturday and called for massive support for the African film industry.
Mr Herbert Adjisu, a member of the Board of
Governors of the National Film and Television Institute (NAFTI) told the 10th
graduation ceremony of NAFTI in Accra, that there is the need to change the
situation where most Africans still look at the world through the images of
other races which are not complementary of them.
27 graduates were presented with diplomas.
Prof. Kofi Awoonor, Chairman of the Board of
Governors of the Institute has trained about 200 people in television and film,
lauded the ingenuity and resilience of Ghanaians, saying, "this can be
felt in all sectors of the society, including filmmaking".
Prof. Awoonor said plans are underway to
acquire modern equipment for the institute to improve upon its training and
production programmes.
In a keynote address, Mr John Mahama, Minister
of Communications, called on filmmakers to be innovative to give their products
a better appeal.
GRi…/