Communications Minister lauds GNA innovation

Dr Edward Kofi Omane-Boamah, Minister of Communications on Wednesday lauded the Ghana News Agency (GNA) for its ability to innovate and reposition itself in the news industry under challenging circumstances.

He said the GNA had also consistently maintained its record as a credible source of both national and international news over the years.

Dr Omane-Boamah made these remarks during his maiden visit to the premises of the GNA following the placement of the Agency under the Communications Ministry, as a result of the scraping of the Ministry of Information by Government recently.

The Minister gave the assurance that government would continue to support the GNA to discharge its mandate, and that particular attention would be given to the areas of information and communications technology and infrastructural development.

He said the Ministry would ensure that the GNA and the National Information Technology Agency worked together to enhance GNA’s delivery capacity.

The Minister urged the management of GNA to diversify operations of the Agency to make it more profitable. He further suggested closer collaboration between the Agency and the Information Services Department, wherever possible, to reduce operational cost.

For his part Dr Bernard Otabil, Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the GNA cited the delay in the release of government subvention and the absence of reliable means of transport as some of the key challenges affecting the operations of the Agency.

He said the Agency had only two pick-up vehicles which were over eight years old and that their frequent break downs and cost of maintenance was affecting the Agency’s operations.

He appealed to government for cars and motorcycles the Headquarters and the regional offices, emphasising that mobility was key to the success of the GNA’s news gathering operations.

The Minister was accompanied on the visit by his two deputies, Mr Felix Ofosu Kwakye and Mr Ato Sarpong.

They were conducted round the various departments of the Agency by Dr Bernard Otabil and his management team.