Source: newsthemegh.com/Accra Metropolitan Assembly
The Chief Executive of the Accra Metropolitan Assembly (AMA) Hon Elizabeth Naa Kwatsoe Sackey has joined the National Commission on Culture (NCC) to celebrate Algeria’s culture through literacy.
The event which was held on Wednesday, January 24 in Accra under the theme: “Crossing Bridges, sharing Africa moments” focused on promoting the rich cultural heritage, reading and literacy as well as fostering a sense of togetherness between the two countries.
Speaking at the event, Mayor Sackey expressed her heartfelt gratitude to the NCC and the Algerian Embassy in Ghana for their invaluable contribution to promoting literacy and literary excellence in Accra.
She urged stakeholders in the book industry to affirm their dedication to nurturing a vibrant literary ecosystem, support local authors and storytellers, and cultivate a love for reading among the youth.
The Mayor of Accra also used the opportunity to express appreciation to the Algerian delegation for donating books to the Ghana Library Authority adding that the gesture embodies the collective commitment to ensuring that access to literature and education was extended to all community members, regardless of background or circumstance.
“Through our collective efforts, we can continue to build a more informed, enlightened, and inclusive society,” the Mayor said.
“Accra’s designation as the World Book Capital is a testament to our city’s commitment to fostering a culture of reading, knowledge sharing, and intellectual growth,” she added.
The Algerian Ambassador to Ghana, His Excellency Ali Redjel in a remark, was confident and convinced that the books donated to the Ghana Library Authority would enable students to enrich their knowledge about the history of Algeria, and its culture and extend the Arabic language, contribute to enhancing a good relationship between the two countries and to enrich them in language such as Swahili, Hausa, and other African language and dialects.
According to him, colonialism had a daunting effect on Algeria however, that period was used as a stepping stone to achieve greater height.
“After independence Algeria launched the basis of the modern state by building schools, hospitals and other vital facilities including urban projects and infrastructural facilities accompanied by agricultural and industrial projects. Since the beginning of 2020, Algeria has also adopted the comprehensive loyalty through which governance and democratic practices were seen in local and national neighbours, presidential, parliamentary, local and regional elections were organized” he recounted.
He expressed his happiness in joining Accra’s bid to promote the world book capital and hand over to the library authority a collection of valuable Algerian books in the fields of science, history, and literature.
A representative of the Ghana Commission for UNESCO, Mr Richie- Mike Wellington underscored the importance of the 2023 Accra World Book Capital stating that it was an opportunity for the Government and other development partners to leverage diverse linkages to culture and education to deepen collective actions to progress on the 2030 sustainable development goals (SDGs).
He reiterated plans to construct a reading and creative writing Village as a legacy project as part of the celebrations to promote a culture of reading and creative writing adding that the facility would reinvigorate businesses in the book industry, stimulate socio-economic transformation, promote the acquisition of 21st century skills and address rising unemployment among others.