By Elizabeth PUNSU, Kumasi
Prices of textbooks for pupils are set to see a significant increase, with rates expected to rise by 30 percent starting in September, the Ghana National Association of Authors and Publishers (GNAAP) has said.
This comes amid rising inflation, high interest rates and increased importation costs affecting the publishing industry.
Speaking to the B&FT in an interview, President – GNAAP, John Kwasi Amponsah, highlighted the macroeconomic challenges that have led to the decision to increase prices.
“Higher inflation, high interest rates, a high exchange rate, high port charges have called on us to take serious actions to prevent our industry from collapsing,” he said.
The GNAAP typically produces high-quality books domestically, then prints them abroad to take advantage of the Florence Agreement of 1950 by United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) – where states agree to not impose customs duties on certain educational, scientific and cultural materials that are imported; which aims to lower the cost of sales to make education affordable.
However, new trade policies in the country have imposed significant levies on imported books. “At the port today, clearing a 40-foot container costs about GH₵290,000 due to various charges, including the ECOWAS levy, network charge, Ghana Shippers’ Authority fee, National Health Insurance Levy (NHIL), COVID-19 levy, and AU levy,” Mr. Amponsah explained.
In view of the afore-mentioned starting in September, the new wholesale prices for pre-school books which used to sell between GH₵30-GH₵35 will go for GH₵50-GH₵60; primary school books which sold at GH₵40-GH₵60 is now going for GH₵60-GH₵80; Junior High School (JHS)/ Senior High School (SHS) books will now go for GH₵80-GH₵180, which hitherto were sold between GH₵80 and GH₵100
Remove VAT
Mr. Amponsah, in a bid to help ameliorate the plight of parents come next academic year which begins in September, made a passionate appeal to the government to reconsider the recently introduced VAT increase on books, which stands at 27.5 percent.
“If we calculate this (VAT) and add it to the cost of books, KG students will pay around 100 cedis per book. We are pleading with the government to remove the VAT on books and some charges at the port with immediate effect, or else the industry faces collapse,” he warned.
He, however, urged parents to prepare for the upcoming price changes while calling on the government to take swift action to alleviate the financial burden on the publishing industry and, by extension, students and parents.
To wholesalers, Mr. Amponsah revealed GNAAP will revert to a cash-and-carry system for wholesale purchases, requiring full payment upfront to receive a 25 percent discount. Credit for bulk purchases will be limited to 40 days from the time of purchase and delivery, with a 10 percent discount for those who meet this term.
