Accra, June 22, GNA - Madam Elizabeth Amoah-Tetteh, Deputy Minister of Education in-charge of Pre-tertiary, on Tuesday asked local publishers to produce more attractive and challenging books for schools and the reading public, with appropriate materials that would widen their horizon. Launching the Ninth Ghana International Book Fair in Accra, Madam Amoah-Tetteh stressed the need to cultivate good reading habits. She urged parents and teachers to introduce children early to reading to help sharpen their creativity, analytical and imaginative skills. "This places the child in a better position to understand, question, analyse and challenge issues he or she is confronted with not only as a child, but later on as an adult," she added.

The theme for the fair "Child Literacy, the Foundation for Future Development-a Reading Nation is a Winning Nation" is being organised by Ghana Book Publishing Association (GBPA) and other partners from November 2-6 at the Ghana Trade Fair Centre, La, Accra. Madam Amoah-Tetteh said the theme was very appropriate at a time when reading habit was dying down in Ghana, saying, a reading public created an enlightened society, and an enlightened society made a progressive nation. She said the Ministry of Education would continue to recognise the establishment of public and school's libraries to make them key sources of information, because libraries were tempting storehouses of knowledge that attracted readers.

Madam Amoah-Tetteh gave the assurance that the Ministry would consider the request of publishers on tax incentives for the book industry, to make it easier for local publishers to flood schools, homes and bookshops with quality yet cheaply priced books. Mr Peter Achiaa, representing the Ministry of Women and Children's Affairs, applauded efforts of GBPA to take up the initiative to promote quality reading. He appealed to writers to ensure their literary works contained contents that were easier to understand, with key messages which would touch on emerging issues that would promote high moral standards and responsible living. "The language diction ought to be appropriate. We entreat you to make your materials culturally relevant," he added. Mr Achiaa urged children to make reading mainstay and integral part of their lifestyles by reading daily to develop their potentials. 22 June 10