The Accra Metropolitan Assembly (AMA) has organized a Christmas party for vulnerable children in the city to commemorate Accra's status as the World Book Capital, 2023 to promote reading. 

The celebration which began with a warm welcome from the Coordinating Director, Mr Douglas Annoful, highlighting the significance of Accra being designated as the World Book Capital for the year was held at the Kinbu Gardens on the premises of the Accra City Hall for over 500 children from Jamestown, Kaneshie Bubuashie, Mamprobi among others.  

As part of the festivities, the children were treated to a variety of engaging activities, including storytelling sessions by the Mayor of Accra, and a Special Guest, interactive book readings, and educational games with volunteers, including local authors and educators, enthusiastically sharing their passion for literature, fostering a love for reading among the young attendees.

The Christmas party also featured cultural performances, including traditional music and dance, from Universal Wonderful Street Academy, adding a touch of local flavour to the celebration, and a chorographic display by Ghana Girls Dance Crew a dancing group from the Bubiashie Electoral Area. 

Speaking in an interview with the media at the event, the Mayor of Accra Hon. Elizabeth Kwatsoe Sackey expressed gratitude to the partnering organizations, volunteers, and sponsors for their contributions and underscored the importance of collective efforts in nurturing a culture of learning and exclusivity.

She said since Christmas often aligns with the innocence and wonder that characterize childhood the Assembly thought it wise to organise a children’s party as part of its obligations towards Accra World Book Capital (AWBC) to promote reading.  

She emphasized the AMA's commitment to promoting literacy and education as essential tools for empowerment, particularly among underprivileged youth.

 Mr Edward Udzu, Vice President, Ghana Publishers Association, who was the guest speaker for the occasion used the opportunity to underscore the benefits of reading stressing that children need to make conscious efforts to read.  

He called on all and sundry to take advantage of what the AWBC sought to achieve adding that the human mind was not originally programmed to read unlike talking.  

He also recounted his entrepreneurial journey in Accra and how selling chewing gum funded his book purchases, transforming his life into a publisher.

UNESCO selected Accra in 2021 as the 2023 World Book Capital, ahead of other cities because its programmatic focus was on young people and their ability to contribute to the culture and wealth of Ghana through the power of reading.

Accra, therefore, becomes the fourth city in Africa to receive this title since 2001, making the vibrant city part of the prestigious World Book Capital Cities Network.