"The Pioneer" is in deep financial crisis

Kumasi, Sept. 27, GNA - Mr Johnson Gyampoh, Editor of "The Pioneer" says management of the Abura Printing Press, publishers of the Kumasi-based newspaper, is facing deep financial problems.

He said payment of salaries to workers who had served the company over the years had become a problem. "We are in salary arrears and our working equipment is obsolete and can't match modern printing", he added.

Mr Gyampoh was welcoming Mr Emmanuel Asamoah Owusu-Ansah, Ashanti Regional Minister and his Deputy, Mr Osei Assibey Antwi, who visited the printing house on Wednesday.

He appealed to the Minister to assist the Company to have access to government jobs and advertisements that were always seen in state-run and other independent newspapers.

Mr Gyampoh asked the Minister to support the company to get "soft loan" that would revive the paper and help it to meet challenges in the printing industry ahead of next year's Cup of Nations soccer and general election.

He pointed out that "The Pioneer" had over the years championed the cause of the nation's democracy, adding that the paper single-handedly paid a bitter price in the past for publicizing the activities of the Danquah-Busia club, which eventually metamorphosed into the New Patriotic party (NPP).

The Minister's entourage was later conducted round the various departments of the printing house and on seeing the old printing machines, he commended the workers for remaining at the job under such harsh conditions.

He was happy that in spite of all the problems, the company had been able to attain the 68th milestone.

He asked the company to contact the Regional Coordinating Council for help to source funds from the government's Small Scale Credit Unit due to be established.

The Minister presented GH=A2300 (three million) cedis to the company towards the celebration of its 68th anniversary