He reaffirmed the importance of books and the book industry in Ghana as significant to the country's cultural heritage and development of its educational system.

Books, Mr Diallo stated, generally acted as a bridge between the past and the present, running across cultures and generations.

Speaking at the 19th Ghana International Book Fair (GIBF) held in Accra on Thursday, the UNESCO Country Director, said reading could be magical as it transported people imaginatively to a world where they were exposed to different ideas, and cultures.

This year's theme: "Reforming the Book Industry for the Future Generation", focuses on discussing strategies to make the future of book publishing meaningful and sustainable.

The four-day Fair will have book exhibitions from over 60 publishing organisations, reading competitions, publishers' meetings, Diplomats DigiRead, Seminars, Poetry Contest, Editors' workshop on maintaining high credible editorial standards, among other major activities.

Mr Diallo said UNESCO continued to advocate for access to books to ensure that all persons took refuge in reading to be able to increase their verbalised and internalised thoughts through reflection.

He said reforming the book industry meant affecting the value chain within the ecosystem and developing policies for the creative and cultural industry that embraced all stakeholders to ensure sustainability.

Mr Diallo said publishing had changed in the past decades and that those changes were likely to persist and there was a need for the industry to adapt.

Ghana, he disclosed, would be host of the UNESCO World Book Capital in 2023, following an evaluation of the World Book Capital Advisory Committee and the country's strong focus on young people and their potential to contribute to the culture and wealth of Ghana.

Mr Asare Konadu Yamoah, President, Ghana Publishers Association, said the Ghana International Book Fair had made progressive strides since the first edition held in Accra in November 1966 to revive the book industry in Ghana.

Mr Yamoah, also the Chairman of the GIBF, said the Fair had provided an excellent opportunity for the book industry stakeholders to determine the scope of interaction between various interest groups and establish an understanding for the promotion of the Ghanaian cultural heritage through books.

He said the Fair had been a pillar of cultural heritage that had offered the country the opportunity to showcase its literary works to the world, which had helped the private sector to make a significant impact on the Ghanaian book industry.

Mrs Ernestina Lartey Asuinura, Executive Director, Ghana Book Development Council, said reading and ensuring that people had the love for books was key, adding that the stakeholders in the book industry continued to produce literary works to meet the increasing demands for books.

Parents and their wards were seen at various stands purchasing books while others partook in reading competitions and dramatic sessions with some newscasters guiding them.