The Accra Metropolitan Assembly (AMA) has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation (UNESCO) to carry out activities related to the nomination of the City of Accra as World Book Capital (WBC) 2023 toward encouraging a culture of reading. 

The MoU, which was signed on Tuesday, 30 November 2021 at the Accra City Hall, would cover a 12-month period between April 23, 2023, and  April 22, 2024. 

The AMA, as part of the agreement, is expected to, among other things, implement an array of innovative projects and activities related to books and reading, encourage participation from the public, foster the exchange of information with UNESCO and the members of the Advisory Committee on the effective implementation and impact of activities related to its nomination as WBC, as well as share experience and best practices with other past and future nominated cities. 

The UNESCO on its part is also expected to provide technical advice in the development, testing and implementation of the City's activities related to books and reading, share resources relevant to literacy, culture and books among other things. 

Ahead of signing the MoU, Chief Executive of the AMA, Elizabeth Kwatsoe Tawiah Sackey expressed commitment to take advantage of the nomination and provide the necessary support to encourage the culture of reading in the city. 

She pointed out that it was her vision to encourage and support the youth and the children in the city to equip themselves with information to enable them to contribute towards national development. 

"This initiative is laudable and I fully embrace it. It is an opportunity for us here in Accra, especially at this time... It is one of my visions to support and encourage the youth and the children to equip themselves with information," she said.

She used the opportunity to express the City's appreciation to UNESCO for their continuous support in promoting world peace and security through international cooperation in education, the arts, the sciences, and culture.

The UNESCO Country Representative, Mr Abdourahamane Diallo for his part congratulated the City of Accra for the nomination and all those who played a part adding that the selection was a key achievement for Ghana and Africa as a whole. 

"This is a key achievement for Ghana and I’m very happy that a West African city gets this title for the third time. This is the third city in West Africa, the first city was Port Harcourt in Nigeria, then Conakry in Guinea and now Accra," he said.

He was hopeful that activities earmarked for the nomination would be the best 

He also congratulated Ms Sackey on her appointment as the first female Mayor of the City of Accra after some 125 years.  

"With your leadership, we are hopeful Accra will shine and will continue to develop particularly in the areas of culture and creative industry," he said. 

The City of Accra was selected as UNESCO World Book Capital for 2023 for its strong focus on young people and their potential to contribute to the culture and wealth of Ghana. Accra’s proposed programme seeks to use the power of books to engage young people, as an effective way of skilling up the next generation.