By Iddi Yire, GNA
Accra, Jan. 08, GNA – President John Dramani Mahama has paid a working visit to two state-owed media houses – Ghana Broadcasting Corporation (GBC), the Graphic Communications Group Limited to acquaint himself with the challenges facing the state-owed media house
The President also visited the Ghana Publishing Company Limited, a state printing press in Accra.
The President, accompanied by Mr Felix Kwakye Ofosu, the Minister of State in-charge of Government Communications and Presidential Spokesman, started his working visit with a courtesy call on Professor Amin Alhassan, the Director General of the state broadcaster, who described the visit as very historic and that the last time a President visited GBC was during the era of Osagyefo Dr Kwame Nkrumah.
President Mahama after receiving briefing from the Director-General, said, he first walked through the gates of GBC in 1986 as a young intern; adding that GBC as an institution helped shaped his understanding of public service and national communication.
The President acknowledged the financial constraints confronting the Corporation and other public media organisations; stating that the Government was considering a new and sustainable funding model for the state broadcaster like public media levy, to enable it effectively to discharge its mandate.
With regards to the state broadcaster’s legacy debts, President Mahama, lauded Management for ring fencing it, and noted that the Chief of Staff at the Presidency would take steps to ensure that it was addressed as part of efforts to make the Corporation remain financially stable.
He also commended the Management of GBC for installing solar electricity general panels at some of their facilities to reduce energy cost.
At the Graphic Communications Group Ltd, the Managing Director, Mr Ato Afful, who received President Mahama gave him a briefing on the challenges facing the Company and the successes it had chalked.
The President lauded the Daily Graphic, the premier newspaper in Ghana, for producing authentic news, adding that his administration prioritised strengthening the state-owned media, giving their constitutional mandate and critical role in national development.
He announced that the Government would be given part of the contract for the printing of textbooks for basic schools to the Graphic Communications Group as part of efforts to strengthen their revenue generation.
At the Ghana Publishing Company Ltd, the Managing Director, Nana Kwasi Boatey received the President said after taking assuming office in February 2025 and following the instruction of the 24-hour working shift, in December 2025, they were able to pay salaries and even added a 13th month salary to all staff of the Company.
He said the Company had also committed to pay a 40 per cent salary increase for its staff; declaring that as of Wednesday, January 07, 2026, the Company had a fix deposit of GH¢15 million in the last ten months.
President Mahama lauded Nana Boatey and his Management team for turning around the fortunes of the Company over the last 10 months.
“Your financials have improved dramatically, and I am sure that in the coming years they’re going to improve even further. You are the example that state-owned enterprises do not necessarily need to be lost making enterprises,” he said.
“I want to commend your management for what they have done, and we should set this up as an example to other SOEs (State-Owned Enterprises).”
GNA
Edited by Linda Asante Agyei