ABOUT
ALL AFRiCAN BOOK FAIR

Fourth Edition

MISSION & VISION.

Mission Statement:

To create an inclusive platform that celebrates and promotes diverse voices in children's literature, empowering young readers of all backgrounds to see themselves in stories, and fostering a more equitable publishing landscape across cultures, languages, and communities.

Vision Statement:

A world where every child, regardless of their race, culture, language, or identity, can access and enjoy stories that reflect their experiences, inspire empathy, and ignite a lifelong love for reading through a vibrant, representative, and connected literary ecosystem.

Our goal with this annual fair is to bridge the large diversity margin in the children's book publishing field and to aid in the reading deficiency in Ghana.

With a strong Educational Programme of virtual events and sessions for school children, teens and the public, the ALL AFRiCAN Book Fair, organised by Grace Dorcas Annan and Gracie Grace Reads, is looking to provide an ideal forum for educators and educational publishers to come together, share ideas and do business.

VENUE & ACCESS.

Publishers, illustrators, graphic designers, literary agents, authors, translators, mobile developers, licensors and licensees, packagers, printers, distributors, audiobook professionals, booksellers, brands, librarians and teachers are invited to the event to experience the world of modern Ghanaian books and multimedia products, bringing the best of illustrations and new trends in publishing for children and young people to its fond community of professionals.

SIGNIFICANCE OF AABF.

The focus of the ALL AFRiCAN BOOK FAIR is to play a vital role in showcasing African literature, serving as a unifying platform that brings together the rich and diverse literary voices across the continent.

Pan-African Literary Unity

AABF aims to foster a sense of unity by bringing together authors, publishers, and readers from different African countries by creating a shared space to celebrate the continent’s literary achievements and cultural heritage.

Promotion of Indigenous Languages and Stories

Our fair seeks to help preserve and promote African languages and oral traditions by encouraging their representation in written form by contributing to linguistic diversity and the survival of local dialects.

Spotlighting Underrepresented Authors

By showcasing works that might not receive attention on international platforms, our fair aims to uplift marginalised voices, regional stories, and emerging writers who reflect the true pulse of African societies.

Educational Empowerment

One of our top priorities at AABF is to promote literacy and education by providing students, educators, and communities with access to relevant and culturally resonant literature by hosting workshops, readings, and discussions that encourage critical thinking and creativity.

Strengthening the African Publishing Industry

AABF Grounds seeks to stimulate the publishing ecosystem by connecting writers with publishers, booksellers, and distributors. This intends to create opportunities for growth, collaboration, and sustainable development of the literary market.

Changing Narratives About Africa

Through authentic storytelling, African literature challenges stereotypes and presents a multidimensional view of the continent. we hope our fair helps share these stories widely, reshaping how Africa is perceived locally and globally.

Fostering Continental and Global Connections

While deeply rooted in African identity, the ALL AFRiCAN BOOK FAIR invites global participation, thus encouraging cross-cultural exchange and expanding the reach of African literature to international audiences.

KEYWORDS
aabf 2025.

COLLABORATION - Wo Nsa Da Mu A

"If your hands are in the dish" is the literal translation of the Adinkra symbol Wo Nsa Da Mu A. The symbol stands for participatory democracy, democratic pluralism, and pluralism in government. It emphasises the significance of allowing everyone to have a say in the process of making decisions. It inspires people to become actively involved in the communities in which they live, to communicate their thoughts and ideas, and to collaborate for the benefit of all. It also serves as a reminder that everyone is responsible for their actions and that we are all accountable for the roles we play in society.

COMMUNITY - Nkonsonkonson

(depicts two links in a chain). Nkonsonkonson represents unity, community, and the strength that comes from each.

CAPACITY - Boa Me Na Me Mmoa Wo

Help me and let me help you. A symbol of cooperation and interdependence. From the aphorism, “Boa me na me mmoa wo,” to wit “, Help me and let me help you”, or, “Benkum dware nifa na nifa nso adware benkum,” to wit, “The left (hand) washes the right and the right washes the left.”

Message from Organizer

When I was growing up, I wanted to be a detective, a carpenter, a globe trotter, own a castle and be an amazing wife.

That is to tell you just how free of what I thought was possible, all because of books.

The more hours of TV the African child watches, the fewer options they think to have in life. The contents are one-sided.

Creating AABF, which is primarily for African creatives, is my quantifiable action to take after a lot of individual conversations about book inclusion, deficiency and lack of effort in our region.

"We as Africans have a lot of stories to share and read amongst ourselves."