1st Ghana reading festival takes off Saturday

The first ever reading festival to be done solely in Ghanaian languages will take place at the premises of the Pan-African Writers Association (PAWA) in Accra on Saturday, October 6.

The initiative, instituted by the Bureau of Ghana Languages is meant to promote literary works written in Ghanaian languages and also promote the use of Ghanaian languages.

The festival is set to host some prominent Ghanaian literary icons, including Professor Ama Ata Aidoo, Dr Clement Kwamina Appah of the Department of Languages, University of Ghana, and Prof. Lade Wosornu.

Other dignitaries expected to grace the occasion include, Deputy Minister of Tourism, Arts & Culture, Dr Iddi Ziblim; Chief Executive of the Accra Metropolitan Assembly, Mr Mohammed Adjei Sowah; the queen mother of Ada Traditional Area, and the President of the Ghana Association of Writers and Chairman of the National Media Commission, Nana Kwasi Gyan-Apenteng.

The event will also be used to honour some individuals who have contributed to the promotion of the use of Ghanaian languages in the country, including the Chief Executive of the Despite Group of Companies, Dr Osei Kwame Despite, and Prof. Kofi Agyekum.

Similarly, writers who write in Ghanaian languages will also be honoured.