By Emmanuel Gamson
Takoradi, May 29, GNA – Mr Albert Kofi Owusu, the General Manager of the Ghana News Agency (GNA), has led a delegation to inspect progress of the ongoing renovation works at the Agency’s Western Regional Office in Takoradi.
The project, being undertaken by Brison Construction Limited, forms part of efforts to modernise the facility and enhance operational efficiency for staff in the region.
The project is under the Post-COVID-19 Skills Development and Productivity Enhancement Programme (PSDPEP), a five-year initiative with the GNA as one of several beneficiary organisations.
The PSDPEP is funded through a total grant facility of $31.34 million, comprising $28.5 million from the African Development Bank (AfDB) and $2.8 million from the Government of Ghana.
The General Manager was accompanied by a delegation of technocrats from the Social Investment Fund (SIF), the lead implementing agency of the AfDB-sponsored projects, as well as officials from the Ministry of Finance and the Ministry of Gender, Children and Social Protection. Also present were representatives from the Architectural and Engineering Services Limited (AESL), consultants for the renovation project.
Members of the delegation included Dr Kwaku Agbesi, Procurement Specialist; Dr Eric Twum, Environment, Climate Change and Social Safeguards Specialist; Mr MacDonald Acquah, Monitoring and Evaluation Specialist; Ms Franklina Barbara Lamptey, Gender Expert; and Ms Abigail Agyemang, Budget Analyst at the Ministry of Finance.
Mr Owusu, during the inspection, expressed satisfaction with the progress of work and commended the contractor for adhering to specifications.
He noted that the renovation formed part of strategic investments aimed at providing a conducive working environment for staff and positioning the GNA to meet the demands of modern journalism.
“I am highly impressed with the work done so far, and I must commend the steady progress,” he said. “The Board and Management look forward with great anticipation to the commissioning of the completed works in good time. It is our expectation that this will pave the way for staff to return to a well-refurbished and conducive office environment, enabling them to resume and enhance news operations with renewed efficiency and purpose.”
Mr Harrison Addo, an Engineer at Brison Construction Limited, who led the inspection team, indicated that work was about 60 per cent complete and assured that efforts were being intensified to ensure timely completion of the project.
He said the scope of work included the rewiring of electrical systems, replacement of louvre blades and window frames, painting works, rehabilitation of washrooms, installation of water systems, plumbing works, and the construction of a disability-friendly walkway, among others.
Mrs Justina Paaga, the Western Regional Manager of the GNA, thanked the General Manager and his team for the visit and expressed appreciation to management for the facelift of the Takoradi office.
She said the project, when completed, would provide a safe and conducive working environment for staff to effectively discharge their mandate of delivering accurate and unbiased news for national development.
Similar renovation works are ongoing at the Agency’s Head Office in Accra, as well as its Tema and Tamale offices.
GNA
Edited by Justina Hilda Paaga /Benjamin Mensah
Reporter: Emmanuel Gamson
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