By: Deborah Amewoyi
The Ghana Printers and Paper Converters Association (GPPCA) has applauded president John Dramani Mahama on his directive ordering for the printing of textbooks by local printers within the country.
The association in a press release highlighted the fact that the recent policy shift centralizing printing of text books within the country rather than the previous contracts awarded to some European countries could create more jobs as well as preserve the country’s economic purse.
It has been recorded that the previous government changed the academic curriculum leaving the various basic schools without textbooks and other reference materials to refer and or learn from.
Significantly, Mahama during his Thank You Tour in Tamale crossed out the ‘no text book’ phenomenon indicating that local printers will be given the contract to print text books.
Admist appreciation, the GPPCA underscored the fact that if awarded significant contracts in the interim, the policy shift could potentially increase employment rates by 40%.
It further suggested that the government seizes the opportunity to impose levies on books printed and imported into the country in order to stabilize the local printing industry.
It further added that the government’s new 24 – Hour Economy policy which will be launched in July 2025 can help printers manufacture more text books if given 100% local sourcing for government printing needs. “Printers can work in the envisaged 3-eight-hour shift system, given that most printing and package production companies are under-utilising their capacity, with machines lying idle for want of printing and packaging job contracts” it read.
The GPPCA ended that it is will to collaborate with the government to ensure effective rollout of the policy.
