The Director of the Institute of Applied Science and Technology at the University of Ghana, Prof. Samuel Kojo Kwofie, has emphasised the need for publishers to incorporate indigenous knowledge systems into data used to train artificial intelligence (AI) models. This call was made during the launch of "The Book Industry Programme in Ghana: From Dream to Reality and Beyond," authored by I.K. Appiah, at the 23rd Ghana International Book Fair 2026 in Accra. Prof. Kwofie's remarks underscored the importance of culturally inclusive development in AI.
Prof. Kwofie noted that AI is already influencing various stages of publishing through automation and digitalisation. However, he cautioned that AI should not replace human creativity and responsibility in the publishing industry. Instead, he encouraged industry stakeholders to find a balance between technological advancement and the development of indigenous capacity. According to Prof. Kwofie, issues of ethics, plagiarism, and cognitive ownership should underpin creative writing.
The book, "The Book Industry Programme in Ghana: From Dream to Reality and Beyond," was described by Prof. Kwofie as a strategic resource that could strengthen Ghana's publishing industry. The publication documents the history of the Book Industry Programme at the Department of Publishing Studies, Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology (KNUST), and highlights the achievements and impact of students and alumni who passed through the programme.
Prof. Kwofie commended I.K. Appiah for producing a well-researched and strategically written account of the Publishing Studies Programme's nearly four-decade journey. He emphasised the critical role publishing has played in shaping the knowledge ecosystem, noting that its influence extends across virtually every sphere of society. Publishing, he argued, equips graduates with skills applicable across several sectors.
The academic also highlighted the changing nature of books in the digital age, noting that publications can increasingly be produced, distributed, and accessed as digital content. He explained that readers with access to appropriate digital devices can read books without necessarily relying on traditional physical formats. This development reinforces the need for publishers and other industry players to adapt to emerging technologies.
The Book Industry Programme in Ghana: From Dream to Reality and Beyond traces the development of the book publishing programme over approximately 40 years. The book was authored by I.K. Appiah, a Senior Lecturer in the Department of Publishing Studies, Faculty of Art, College of Art and Built Environment (CABE), KNUST, and published by Adwinsa Publication (GH) Ltd.
Prof. Kwofie's remarks have significant implications for the publishing industry in Ghana, as the sector continues to evolve in the digital age. His call for the integration of indigenous knowledge systems into AI data is expected to promote culturally inclusive development and decolonise AI. The publishing industry is expected to play a critical role in shaping the knowledge ecosystem in Ghana.
Key points
- Prof. Samuel Kojo Kwofie calls for integration of indigenous knowledge systems into AI data.
- The book "The Book Industry Programme in Ghana: From Dream to Reality and Beyond" documents the history of the Book Industry Programme at KNUST.
- Prof. Kwofie emphasises the need for a balance between technological advancement and indigenous capacity development in the publishing industry.
