EPA forges cultural ties at 18th Ghana International Book Fair

Gulf Today, Staff Reporter

As part of its agenda to facilitate Emirati publishers’ entry into new markets, the Emirates Publishers Association (EPA) participated in the 18th Ghana International Book Fair, which ran from August 26 – 29, 2021

The Ghana International Book Fair (GIBF) is one of the most important publishing forums and among the largest literary events in Africa, and EPA’s presence at this year’s edition will help the Emirati publishers forge partnerships with renowned publishers worldwide and widen their market.

The EPA team led by Rashid Al Kous, CEO of EPA, and Mariam Al Obaidli, Corporate Communication Director, EPA, held a series of meetings at the GIBF in Accra, to explore new opportunities to expand their business worldwide and consolidate strategic cooperation with Ghanian publishers.

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The EPA delegation visited the UAE Embassy in Accra and met Khalifa Yousif Alzaabi, UAE Ambassador to Ghana. Apart from throwing light on EPA’s achievements in showcasing UAE’s cultural successes globally through participation at book fairs and cultural events, they also discussed ways of initiating cultural exchange between the UAE and Ghana and future plans to introduce the UAE’s rich and diverse literature through contribution of books to Ghanian libraries.

The EPA team also met delegates from the Ghana Publishers Association (GPA), Ghana Book Development Council and the Ghana Library Association. The meeting was led by Asae Konadu Yamoah, President, GPA; Edward Yaw Udzu, Vice President, GPA; Benjamin Tawiah Klu, Executive Secretary. GPA; and Ernet Oppong, Assistant Executive Secretary, GPA, and Acting Executive Director, African Publishers Network (APNET), to discuss ways of collaboration between publishers from Africa and the Arab world.

Rashid Al Kous and Mariam Al Obaidli, with delegates from the Ghana Publishers Association (GPA), Ghana Book Development Council and the Ghana Library Association.

Rashid Al Kous underlined the association’s dedication to fulfilling its objectives that align with UAE’s national cultural project. He noted that EPA endeavoured to help Emirati publishers represent the UAE at regional and international cultural events, showcase Emirati books and boost cultural exchange.

“The Ghana International Book Fair is one of the largest book fairs in the African continent. Our participation in this event highlights our close relationship with Africa’s publishing sector which has developed phenomenally. It is one more step forward in bolstering mutual coordination between the publishing markets in the UAE and Ghana, in view of the growing trade and economic relations between the two countries,” he added.

The EPA delegation expressed their gratitude to GPA for the opportunity to showcase UAE’s flourishing book industry at GIBF 2021, in addition to exploring future avenues to advance the publishing sector in both countries.

The delegation also visited the Ghana National Library, Methodist Book Depot, Step Publishers, Winmat Publishers, and Adwinsa Publications in Accra.

Founded in 2009, the EPA is dedicated to developing the publishing sector and representing the interests of professionals in the UAE and beyond. It promotes the UAE’s cultural achievements across the Arab world and globally. It also hosts, organises and takes part in regional and international conferences, exhibitions and book fairs.