GRAPHIC MUST CONSOLIDATE LEAD - MABENGBA (PAGE 22, FEB 10, 2011)

THE Northern Regional Minister, Mr Moses Bukari Mabengba has entreated the management of the Graphic Communications Group Limited (GCGL) to remain steadfast in steering the company towards further growth.
According to him, the lead established by the company in the media industry was unmatched and, thus, needed to be consolidated to serve as a lesson for other players in the industry.
Mr Mabengba made these remarks when he held discussions with the Northern Zonal Manager of the GCGL, Mr Michael Kofi Baga at the Northern Regional Co-ordinating Council.
The talks focused on the operations of the GCGL, its contribution to the country’s democracy and its role in highlighting the development challenges facing the north.
Mr Mabengba noted that the rise of Graphic had brought some competition into the media industry as some of the media outlets were working towards expanding their operations to keep up with the competition.
He again observed that the success story of Graphic was a general indication of the capability of Ghanaian companies to succeed in spite of the odds.
The minister also commented on the work of the writing staff of the Graphic, particularly those who served in the three northern regions.
“Your reporters have tried to report the truth at all times and they have also tried to avoid sensationalism and exaggeration of conflicts,” he noted.
The minister however entreated the management of the GCGL to work towards ensuring the early delivery of its papers to Wa, Tamale and Bolga in the three regions of the north.
He said the situation where the Daily Graphic and other papers published by the GCGL got to these three towns in the afternoon or later was inappropriate.
Mr Mabengba said the National Democratic Congress (NDC) government would continue to expand the frontiers of media freedom by promoting the independence of the media.
“We also expect that the operators would enjoy this constitutional freedom in a responsible manner,” he added.
Mr Baga pledged to convey the thoughts of the minister to the management and assured that the delay in the delivery of papers to the three northern regions would be addressed in due time.
He mentioned the new press project being developed by the GCGL, which he noted would enable the company enhance the quality of printing.