After a 40-year hiatus, the Graphic Communications Group Limited (GCGL) has re launched the Ghana YearBook (GYB), an annual publication that takes stock of the very important developments of the preceding year in the country.

The GYB, which’s publication started in the 1950s was a value addition product of the GCGL that became popular through the 1970s before the publication ceased.

At the event to relaunch the publication in Accra Thursday [March 18, 2021], the Managing Director of the GCGL, Mr Ato Afful said the all new GYB would maintain the quality that endeared its predecessor editions to readers.

“In addition to an improved content, it captures the nation’s events as they unfolded in the previous year which includes the swearing in of the fifth President of the Fourth Republic, the election of the first Speaker of Parliament from an opposition party, the impact of COVID-19 on the economy, the demise of his Excellency JJ. Rawlings, the 2020 elections, the Graphic @70 anniversary among others.”

Record

He said the publication also captures historical dates, facts about the country, corporate information on companies and government institutions and each chapter in the book presents a theme with adequate information to readers, and would help connect them to the country’s history.

Mr Afful noted that the rebirth of the GYB had become possible due to the immense support of the Chairman of the Board of Directors of the GCGL, Professor Kwame Kakari and the former Speaker of Parliament, Professor Aaron Mike Oquaye who urged the management of GCGL to reintroduce the publication.

Prof. Karikari told Graphic Online in an interview after the launch of the book that as a thriving democracy, the country needed such publications to help build on its strong democratic credentials.

“We now have a thriving democracy but democracy survives on accurate, reliable and relevant information for the citizens and the Ghana Year Book will provide that service for the entire society in documenting, keeping and making available the very salient issues especially about our institutions, business entities and personalities that drives our society,” he said.

Relaunch

The colour event which was held at the plush Alisa hotel, brought together notable personalities in the country including the Speaker of Parliament, Mr Alban Sumana Kingsford Bagbin who launched the book, the Managing Director of the ADB Bank, Dr John Kofi Mensah, the Director General of the State Interests and Governance Authority (SIGA), Mr Stephen Asamoah Boateng and Brigadier General Benjamin Amoah-Boakye who represented the Chief of Defence Staff (CDS).

Also present at the event were the Executive Secretary of the Advertisers Association of Ghana, Mr Francis Dadzie, the Editor of the Daily Graphic, Mr Kobby Asmah among others.

Brigadier General Amoah-Boakye bought a copy on behalf of the CDS for GH¢5,000 while Mr Asamoah Boateng made a bid of GH¢3,000 for a copy of the book.

The auctioneer who led the sales of the first copies of the book, Mr L. A. Apanga Esq bought a copy of the 20 books that were sold at the event for GH¢1,000.

On sale

Copies of the book will be on sale at all the regional offices of the GCGL and later at all book shops and shopping malls across the country at GH¢150 for a copy.

Meanwhile copies of the publication would be donated to Vice Chancellors of the various public universities in the country while two copies would be donated to the Asantehene, Otumfuo Osei Tutu II at the Manhyia Palace in Kumasi.

Copies of the book would also be made available at some public libraries across Ghana.

After outdooring the publication, the Speaker of Parliament, Mr Alban Bagbin purchased an autographed copy signed by the GCGL MD, Mr Afful, for GH¢20,000.

Mr Dadzie bought a copy for GH¢12,050 on behalf of the Advertisers Association of Ghana while the MD of ADB Bank, Mr Mensah won the bid to buy the second auctioned copy of the book for GH¢12,000.