The Ministry of Education is to secure 70 million dollars from external sources to finance a textbook production and procurement programme under a new policy after cabinet approval.

Miss Christine Churcher, Minister of State for Basic, Secondary and Girl Child Education announced this at a cultural outreach durbar for delegates to the just ended 5th International Publishers Association (IPA) copyright conference at Peki on Saturday.

The durbar, which was attended by 90 delegates of IPA from 44 countries world-wide was organised by the Peki Nenyo (PEN) Development Association under the theme: "promoting quality education through reading".

Miss Churcher said the production and procurement programme would enable local publishers in the book industry to expand their businesses and improve the

quality of books to meet international standards.

The minister called on the public to assist the book industry by purchasing the "original books" they produce and desist from photocopying and other acts of piracy.

Mr Pere Vicens, leader of the delegation on behalf of the group presented books worth 40 million cedis to the Peki community.

He said the five-day copyright conference was aimed at encouraging creativity through copyright protection.

Mr Kwame Ampofo, Member of Parliament for South Dayi promised that good care would be taken of the books.

Togbe Kwadzo Dei XI, paramount chief of Peki Traditional Area, in a speech read for him, appealed to religious and traditional leaders to lead a crusade on the development of education, child-care and good parenting in their areas of jurisdiction.