Accra: President John Dramani Mahama has embarked on a working visit to three key state-owned institutions-the Ghana Broadcasting Corporation (GBC), the Graphic Communications Group Limited, and the Ghana Publishing Company Limited-to understand the challenges facing these organizations.
According to Ghana News Agency, President Mahama, accompanied by Mr. Felix Kwakye Ofosu, the Minister of State in-charge of Government Communications and Presidential Spokesman, began his visit with a courtesy call on Professor Amin Alhassan, the Director General of GBC. Professor Alhassan noted that the visit was historic, marking the first time a President has visited the state broadcaster since the era of Osagyefo Dr. Kwame Nkrumah. President Mahama, reflecting on his past as an intern at GBC in 1986, acknowledged the institution's role in shaping his understanding of public service. He highlighted the financial constraints of the Corporation and discussed the government's consideration of a sustainable funding model, such as a public media levy, to aid the state broadcaster.
The President also addressed the issue of GBC's legacy debts, commending management for their efforts in managing these debts and indicating that the Chief of Staff at the Presidency would take further actions to stabilize the Corporation financially. He also praised GBC's initiative to install solar panels to reduce energy costs.
During his visit to the Graphic Communications Group Ltd, President Mahama was briefed by the Managing Director, Mr. Ato Afful, on the company's challenges and achievements. He lauded the Daily Graphic for its role in producing authentic news and announced that the government would allocate part of the contract for printing textbooks for basic schools to the Graphic Communications Group to enhance its revenue generation capabilities.
At the Ghana Publishing Company Ltd, the Managing Director, Nana Kwasi Boatey, shared with President Mahama the company's progress since he assumed office in February 2025. Boatey reported the implementation of a 24-hour working shift and a commitment to a 40 percent salary increase for staff, along with the achievement of a GHS15 million fixed deposit over ten months. President Mahama praised the management team for their financial turnaround, emphasizing that state-owned enterprises do not need to operate at a loss and should serve as examples for others.