Ministry of Information donates computers to GNA

Accra, July 15, GNA - Mrs Sabah Zita Okaikoi Minister for Information, on Wednesday donated three computers to the Ghana News Agency (GNA) and urged the Agency to explore avenues of generating revenue to become self sufficient.

She said: "GNA has the capacity to make money, as a source that feeds other news outlets with news items."

The three high speed computers worth GH¢6,000 are to help to boost GNA's performance as far as processing news is concerned. Mrs Okaikoi who was accompanied by one of her deputies, Mr. Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa, said they knew GNA could make money for itself adding that the Information Ministry would do all in its power to assist them succeed in that resolve.

She said the urge to donate the computers followed the visit to GNA Headquarters by her two deputy ministers - Mr Okudzeto and Mr James Agyenim Boateng - who returned with a sad story that GNA virtually lacked computers.

The Minister said she discovered the same problem at the Cape Coast office of the GNA which made her realize that urgent action must be taken to solve the problem. She said efforts would be made to donate some computers to the Cape Coast office as well. "It is our desire to equip GNA to be able to perform its mandate efficiently," she said.

Nana Apau Duah, General Manager of GNA, thanked the Minister for the donation, and appealed to her to assist in improving the salary levels of staff of the GNA, which he said were very low. He indicated that the Agency had submitted a business plan to the Information Ministry this year for discussion.