Ghana will host the 5th IBBY (International Board for Books for the Young) Africa Regional Conference in Accra, Ghana from the 29th August to the 1st of September, 2019 at the Alisa Hotel. The theme of the Conference is ‘The importance of Illustrations in Children’s books’. The opening ceremony will be held on Thursday, 29th August, 2019. The Guest of Honour for the occasion is the Chinese Ambassador to Ghana, H.E. Shi Ting Wang and the event will be chaired by Prof. Esi Sutherland-Addy.

IBBY is a non-profit organization that was founded in Zurich, Switzerland in 1953. Currently, it is composed of 75 National Sections from all over the world. It represents countries with well-developed book publishing and literacy programmes who promote the joy of reading and literacy among children. It also represents an international network of people from all over the world who are committed to bringing books and children together.

IBBYGHANA was established in Ghana in the 1970s under the auspices of the Ghana Library Board now Ghana Library Authority. It became inactive and in 2010, Akoss Ofori-Mensah of Sub Saharan Publishers was tasked to help revive IBBY in Ghana. This she has successfully done and has sustained it till date. Thankfully this year, at the Regional Conference, IBBYGHANA will be reconstituted to make it stronger and more vibrant.

Over 50 participants from various countries across the world are expected to attend the 4-day conference. The conference will bring together practitioners, supporters and champions of children's literature interested in African children's books. Following other IBBY Africa meetings organized in South Africa, Rwanda, and Kampala, this conference will be a mixture of presented papers, a poster session and an exhibition. There will be keynote speakers followed by in-depth sessions and opportunities to network. Other programmes slated for the IBBY conference include; two workshops on illustration and editing which will be held at the British Council. The Illustrations Workshop will be facilitated by Piet Grobler, a renowned international illustrator from South Africa, and Roger Mello, a Hans Christian Andersen Illustrations Laureate. The Editors Workshop will be facilitated by Sarah Odedina from the UK. There will be the DRAWING WORDS Art exhibition from the UK, and works by African artists at the British Council Hall.
The exhibition will be officially opened at 7pm on 29 August, 2019 at the British Council.
Finally, the maiden ‘IBBY Ghana Meshack Asare Picture Storybook Illustrator’s Award. This award was instituted by Sub Saharan Publishers to support and celebrate talented Ghanaian illustrators of children's books. It is named after the internationally acclaimed Ghanaian writer and illustrator in appreciation of his great contribution to children’s literature. The Award Night will be held at the plush Alisa Hotel in Accra. The Guest speakers will be the Minister for Tourism, Arts and Culture, Honourable Barbara Oteng-Gyasi and H.E. Shi Ting Wang, the Chinese Ambassador to Ghana. The event will be chaired by Prof. Esi Sutherland-Addy of the University of Ghana.

The 5th IBBY AFRICA REGIONAL CONFERENCE is sponsored by the Chinese Embassy, the British Council, IBBY International, Ghana Library Authority, Sub-Saharan Publishers, Golden Baobab, Ghana Book Publishers Association, Biblionef Ghana, Ghana Book Trust, Ghana Book Development Council, Children’s Literature Foundation and Osu Children’s Library Fund.