Chinese Ambassador to Ghana H.E. Mdm. Sun Baohong Attended the 2016 GAW Book Festival
2016/09/27
On 21 September 2016, Chinese Ambassador to Ghana H.E. Mdm. Sun Baohong attended the 2016 GAW Book Festival (GAWBOFEST) as the guest of honor and delivered a speech. More than 500 people including President of Ghana Association of Writers (GAW) and National Media Committee Mr. Kwasi Gyan-Apenteng, Chairperson of the Graphic Communication Dr. Doris Dartey, Secretary General of the Pan African Writers' Association Prof. Atukwei Okai, President of the Association of Nigerian Authors Mr. Denja Abdullahi, representatives of cultural and educational agencies, publishers, booksellers and writers as well as teachers, students and their parents from local communities attended this event.
In her address, Ambassador Sun shared the extensive and profound Chinese Culture, China's long-term tradition in reading and her personal reading experience with the audience, introduced China's strategy of "rejuvenating China through science and technology" and construction of a learning society. Ambassador Sun pointed out that bilateral cooperation between China and Ghana are developing rapidly in various fields in recent years, and Chinese government and enterprises give strong support to the science and education undertakings of Ghana. She wished that the Ghanaian cultural and educational agencies would further strengthen the study in China-Ghana relations, actively promote China-Ghana friendship and cooperation in various areas. She also encouraged the students to read more books about the Chinese history and culture and China-Ghana relations, and become supporters and participants of the cause of China-Ghana friendship.
During the function, poetry reading, children's chorus, instrumental performance and other programs were displayed in a warm atmosphere. The Chinese Embassy in Ghana decorated an exquisite Chinese book booth to exhibit good books about Chinese history and culture, social system and China-Ghana relations, attracting a large number of Ghanaian readers. Ambassador Sun visited some booths with other distinguished guests, and communicated cordially with representatives of the educational agencies and writers. She gave some books including Xi Jingping: the Governance of China to GAW President Mr. Apenteng as presents.
Ambassador Sun was also interviewed by the journalist on site on China-Ghana relations and China Ghana education cooperation.
The first GAWBOFEST was held in 2011. It has been held 6 times up to now, making it one of the most popular book festivals in Ghana. The theme of this GAWBOFEST is "Empowering Ghana through Reading".