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General News of Wednesday, 30 March 2005

Source: GNA

Media managers told to focus on regional offices

Ho, March 30, GNA- Mr Dan Botwe Minister of Information on Wednesday urged management of media houses to rope in their regional offices as part of their corporate development strategies. Mr Botwe made this remark during a working visit to departments and media organisations under his Ministry as part of a day's visit to Ho, where he launched the Ewe version of the President's State of Nation Address to Parliament in February this year.

The Minister visited the offices of the Ghana News Agency (GNA), Graphic Communications Group Limited, New Times Corporation and the Ghana Broadcasting Corporation (GBC) where he expressed disappointment at the deteriorating state of their office premises. The apparent astonished Minister observed how journalists and auxiliary workers in the Region work with rusty typewriters and worn-out furniture.

Mr Sammy Veddi, GNA Regional Manager said the provision of a vehicle for the office would improve the ability of the Agency to cover stories in the rural areas.

He asked the Minister to assist in the refurbishment of the Regional office, explaining that the furniture being used by the local staff belonged to the Ghana Journalist Association. Mr Veddi expressed the need to fence the office premises to shield it from trespassers, stray animals and taxi drivers who are using the place as car park.

Mr Tim Dzamboe, Regional Editor of Graphic appealed to the Minister to expedite action on bills that would empower the media to fight corruption.

Mr Ernest Asare, Regional Manager of the New Times Corporation, implored the Minister to help strengthen the Business Department of the media organisation.

At the Offices of the GBC, Mr Botwe asked Mr Ralph Avornyo, the acting Regional Director, to submit to him a comprehensive report on the technical problems inhibiting the operations of Volta Star FM station and television transmission to the Region.

GBC television transmission had been irregular while the Volta Star had been of air since March 11, this year.

Mr Avornyo said the frequent breakdown in TV transmission was due to frequent damage of transmitting stations at Amedzofe by lightning. He said it was becoming increasingly difficult for Ghana Telecom to continue to provide the link for the signals of the Volta Star radio since the Company had upgraded its system.