Writer-In-Me launched to mark UNESCO World Book Day

As part of activities to mark World Book Day which fell on Friday, April 23, Ghana Reads Initiative in collaboration with Adwinsa Publications (Gh) Ltd launched the Writer-In-Me project which seeks to encourage writing among students.

The Writer-In-Me project was launched by Dr Wale Okediran, the Secretary General of the Pan African Writers Association at the Korle Gonno Community Library with students from selected schools in attendance.

Also present at the Writer-In-Me launch were Honourable Okoe Vanderpuye, MP, Ablekuma South, Mr Abdourahamane Diallo, Country Representative of UNESCO who was the Special Guest of Honour and Her Excellency Alicia Rico, Spanish Ambassador to Ghana.

At the launch of the Writer-In-Me project

Launching the Writer-In-Me project, Dr Okediran encouraged the students to make writing their habit, “Writing comes from our experiences, it can be the beginning of a big story. We can even come up with award-winning stories.

"Start writing today and you will come up with great stories, don’t be afraid to write wrong grammar because it is a learning process,” he said.

On his part, Mr Diallo read a message on behalf of Ms Audrey Azoulay, Director-General of UNESCO which said “In this period of uncertainty, many people are turning to books to help them escape lockdown and cope with anxiety.

“Indeed, books have the unique ability both to entertain and to teach. They are a means of exploring realms beyond our personal experience through exposure to different authours, ideas and cultures.

"They are a means of accessing the deepest places in our minds. Page by page, books light a path for us to roam, unbound by time or borders. In other words, books give us freedom.

“It is the power of books that we all need right now, as we are reminded of the fundamental importance of literature, as well as the arts in our lives.

“Today, we also pay homage to all the professions associated with books: editing, translation, publishing and book selling. These fields make it possible to disseminate our literary heritage, to allow for the expression of new ideas, and to enable the spread of stories.

In conclusion, he said, “For this year’s edition of World Book and Copyright Day, I therefore encourage each and everyone of you to pick up a book, start turning its pages, and draw from it a breath of fresh air, which will help sustain you now and in the future.

All the dignitaries present took turns to read to the students while interacting with them at the writer-In-Me event. They read the book, Nii Noi, The Sanitation Officer. Some of the students also took turns to read excerpts from the book.

Mr Abdourahamane Diallo, Country Representative of UNESCO reading to the students

Hon Okoe Vanderpuye encouraged the students to read often and also keep their environments clean, “When you read, you get information and when you get information, you get knowledge and knowledge is power.”

Selected students joined the dignitaries to cut a cake to commemorate the day.

Mr Oswald Okaitei, initiator of Ghana Reads Initiative moderated the Writer-In-Me event and urged the students to to participate in the Writer-In Me project.

Mr Oswald Okaitei moderated the Writer-In-Me  event

There was a donation of UN SDG books to schools drawn from Chorkor, Korle Gonno, Mamprobi and Jamestown namely New Standard School, Glorious Prince Academy, Knowledgeworth Premier School and Achievers School.