Eight-year-old Arianna Sinahamau Ayertey of the Valley View University (VVU) Basic School has launched her first set of four books.

The launch, which was held at the Praise Congregation of the Presbyterian Church of Ghana, Oyibi, on Sunday, 14th December, marks a giant step toward actualising her dream of making a mark in the literary world.

Targeted at early readers, all four books titled ‘Hansel’s Journey to Friendship’, ‘The Magical Girl’, ‘The Fruit Swap’, and ‘The Lazy Boy’, have relatable storylines and themes, with simple illustrations and visuals to make reading fun for her peers.

Arianna, who is in Grade 4, started the writing project a year ago while in Grade 3 under the guidance of her parents, Ing. Eric T. Ayertey, a professional Electrical/Electronic Engineer, and Mrs Abigail Koryoe Ayertey, who is an Educationist.

In an interview with the author, she expressed the desire to reach at least one thousand (1,000) of her peers with her fascinating literary work by the close of 2026 while working on other stories to keep her writing project alive.

The event attracted an array of high-profile dignitaries, including Professor Ernest Kenu of the University of Ghana School of Public Health, who chaired the ceremony; Professor Felicia Annin, Head of Research, Innovation and Consultancy Unit (RICU) at University of Environment and Sustainable Development (UESD), Somanya, who reviewed the books; Dr. Henrietta Kumah, Director of the Valley View University Basic School, who served as the Guest of Honour, and Rev. Ebenezer Akrong, the Oyibi District Minister of the Presbyterian Church of Ghana, among others.

Chairman for the event, Prof. Kenu, described Arianna’s effort as a giant step that clearly puts her ahead of her peers.

He commended the young author for her dedication and lauded the parents for creating the enabling environment for the realisation of her beautiful dream.

He also urged the author to continue honing her talent and work toward emerging as a literary giant.
Reviewing the books, Professor Felicia Annin noted that the themes and subject matter of the books, such as the power of friendship, the strength in calmness, and the virtues of kindness and hard work, could not have been more appropriate.

“The four stories combine simplicity, cultural relevance, and moral clarity, making them effective tools for moral education and cultural transmission,” she said.

She urged parents to make conscious efforts to create and stock their children’s library with such books to help them cultivate early reading habits and pick virtues that positively impact their lives.