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20th Ghana International Book Fair: Asamoah Gyan and other icon-authors to read & sign books
The 20th edition of the annual Ghana International Book Fair is set to take off from August 10-13, 2023 at the Accra International Conference 9:00am to 6:00 pm daily.
This year’s coincides with Accra World Book Capital and for that reason it comes with colourful additions to its original activities.
Among the many interesting activities designed to excite participants is a ‘Read & Converse’ session with the legendary Asamoah Gyan.
Asamoah Gyan is a Ghanaian former professional footballer who played as a striker. He is the former captain of the Ghana national team , Black Stars and by far, is the African player with most goals at the World Cup.
Last year, he stoke the Ghanaian literary flame with the launch of his autobiography ‘Legyandary’ the book of focus for his session dubbed “Celebrity-Author & Readers Connect with Asamoah Gyan” scheduled for Saturday, 12 August, 2023 from 4:00 pm to 6:00 pm at the fair.
The session which promises to be thrilling and informing is by the Ghana Association of Writers in partnership with the Ghana International Book Fair secretariat.
Other sessions with icons who in recent times have caused effective ripples in the world of books include:
“Deep Conversations with Oheneyere Gifty Anti”. Gifty Anti, the legendary Ghanaian journalist and broadcaster will be the first to take her turn at the fair on Thursday, 10 August, 2023 from 4:00pm to 6:00 pm, with a conversation after reading excerpts from her books “When Strong Women Cry” and “The Black Chale Wote-Diary of the late Bloomer and her Daughter”;
A Book Signing session with one of the authors of the moment, Yvonne Nelson will be next on Saturday, August 12, from 10:00 am to 12:00 noon. This session will be the next big one after the Ghana International Book Fair Personality of the Year 2023 on Friday evening which will be to honour and celebrate HE Mr Abdourahamanne Diallo, the Country Representative of UNESCO Ghana for his tremendous support for the promotion of creative, cultural and literary landscape in Ghana.
The legendary Adjetey Annang will close the fair on Sunday , August 13, 2023 also with a session dubbed “Celebrity-Author & Readers Connect with Adjetey Annang”, where like in the case of Asamoah Gyan, participants will interact with the author after reading sessions and then after be followed with book signing moment.
The Ghana International Book Fair is organised annually to celebrate the rich Ghanaian culture through books and reading. The Book Fair focuses on the promotion of reading and literacy at all levels for human and national development.
Other activities to be seen at the Book Fair include Reading with Champions (as Clemento Suarez (renowned young Ghanaian comedian), Naa Dedei Botchwey (Ghana Most Beautiful Queen 2020), Kate Addo (Director of the Public Affairs of the Parliament of Ghana), Ruby Goka (Dentist and international award winning author) and others); writing & publishing workshops; Inter-schools debate competition; Hi-Schools Poetry Contest; Read to Play (video games) and exhibition and sales of books.
The Fair begins on Thursday, 10th August, 2023 with an Opening Ceremony at 9:00 am at the venue for the 4-days event, Accra International Conference Centre and closes on Sunday, 13 August. For each day sessions commence at 9:00 am and close at 6:00 pm. The theme for this year’s edition is ““Reading to connect minds for social transformation”. As always participation is free.
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ASWIM lauds Prof Naana Jane Opoku-Agyemang
The Association of Women in the Media, (ASWIM) has congratulated Professor Naana Jane Opoku-Agyemang on her historic achievement as Ghana’s first female Vice President.
The association said her trailblazing journey with sterling accomplishments from academia to politics, is undoubtedly, a vivid inspiration to countless women and girls across Ghana and Africa.
This was contained in a statement signed by its president, Mrs Mavis Kitcher, and copied to The Spectator on Tuesday in Accra.
“ASWIM celebrates your remarkable career, marked by numerous firsts, including the first female Vice-Chancellor of the University of Cape Coast, (UCC), and the first female to hold a professional chair in Ghana, (UCC),” the statement said.
It said the accomplishments of Prof Opoku- Agyemang were clear testament to the brilliance, resilience and resourceful nature of the complete beautiful African woman.
“As she takes on this new role, ASWIM proudly lauds her commitment to education, women’s empowerment, distinguished public service and patriotism and is very confident that her pursuit of excellence, love for humanity, humility, decency, modesty and commitment to the welfare of the vulnerable will characterise Ghana’s political leadership and public service,” the statement added.
By Jemima Esinam Kuatsinu
Entertainment
Demolition of Fantasy Dome unfair — Mark Okraku-Mantey
Months after the Fantasy Dome was dismantled to make way for construction at the Ghana International Trade Fair site, the Deputy Minister of Tourism, Arts and Culture, Mr Mark Okraku-Mantey, has expressed concern over the manner the facility was destroyed.
In an interview on Daybreak Hitz with Andy Dosty, Mr Okraku-Mantey criticised the handling of the dome’s dismantling, suggesting that it could have been done without causing damage.
“I don’t think that leadership gave instructions that they should do what happened. The structure was a prefab but I hear the people destroyed it. That one, we cannot defend it. It is unfair to him (owner). Sometimes, you give instructions and people will go and do things that will make you look bad,” he stated.
When asked about any punitive measure against the workers responsible for the destruction, Mr Okraku-Mantey clarified that the Trade Fair does not fall under his ministry.
He said he had previously contacted the owner, Leslie Quaynor, to discuss relocating the dome, and even suggested the National Museum as a potential site, though it was too small.
The demolition of the 20,000-seater Fantasy Dome occurred on March 16, 2024.
According to Dr Agnes Adu, CEO of the Ghana Trade Fair Company Limited, the action was taken after multiple notices were given to Quaynor to vacate the premises for redevelopment, as per their tenancy agreement.
Dr Adu noted that all previous tenants had complied except for the Fantasy Dome.
Quaynor, in an interview with JoyNews, confirmed that his lease had ended, and was in the process of relocating the dome.
He had requested an extension, which was denied, leading him to seek a writ and an injunction from an Accra High Court to halt the demolition.
Despite this, the demolition proceeded, causing significant damage to the structure.
Quaynor described the incident as a major setback, not only for his business but also for the entertainment industry, which relies on venues like the Fantasy Dome.
