The Ghana Publishers Association (GPA) has called for a renewed and sustained national commitment to literacy development as it joined the global community to commemorate International Literacy Day 2026. 

Observed annually on September 8, this year marks the 60th anniversary since UNESCO proclaimed International Literacy Day in 1966. 

The theme, "Literacy for People, the Planet and Prosperity," invites reflection on literacy's transformative power and its contribution to inclusive societies, environmental sustainability, and economic development.

The GPA regards literacy as a fundamental human right and the foundation of lifelong learning, informed citizenship, and meaningful participation in social and economic life. 

Literacy enables people to find and assess information, understand their rights, make sound decisions, and pursue educational and economic opportunities.

Despite global progress, the literacy challenge remains substantial. UNESCO reported that at least 739 million youth and adults lacked basic literacy skills in 2024, while millions of children fell below minimum reading-proficiency levels. 

For Ghana, stronger foundational literacy is essential to building a skilled and productive population, particularly for children from disadvantaged backgrounds, out-of-school children, and persons with disabilities.

Literacy empowers individuals and communities to participate more effectively in society. 

The GPA called for continued investment in foundational literacy, teacher development, school libraries, and quality reading materials. Literacy programmes should promote reading for understanding and enjoyment, not just examination outcomes. Parents and guardians were urged to create reading-friendly environments at home.

The inclusion of "the Planet" highlights literacy's role in responding to environmental challenges. Environmental literacy helps people understand how human activity affects the natural world and supports informed decisions on sanitation, waste management, and resource conservation. 

The GPA encouraged publishers to integrate environmental literacy into publications and learning resources.

Literacy is a significant driver of economic prosperity. Individuals with strong literacy skills can pursue further education, access employment, and participate productively in the economy. 

At the national level, a literate population contributes to productivity, innovation, and sustainable development. Literacy must be reinforced by digital, media, and financial literacy to help people adapt to changing work environments.

The GPA reaffirmed that books are indispensable to literacy development. Publishers have a responsibility to produce accurate, affordable, culturally relevant, and inclusive materials, including Ghanaian-language publications and digital resources. 

The GPA called for stronger collaboration among government, publishers, schools, and civil society to expand access to quality reading materials.

Government must prioritise investment in foundational literacy, teacher training, and community libraries, with measurable targets and regular evaluations. 

The private sector and development partners were encouraged to support literacy initiatives reaching underserved populations. Ghana should set priorities for early-grade reading, expand book access in underserved schools, and strengthen instruction in Ghanaian languages alongside English.

The GPA recognised that literacy for all requires sustained action, investment, and accountable partnerships among government, educators, publishers, and communities. 

"Literacy is not simply about reading words; it is about enabling people to understand their world, shape their future, protect their environment, and participate fully in building a prosperous society," the statement added.