Graphic will continue to flourish – MD

The Managing Director of the Graphic Communications Group Limited (GCGL), Mr. Ato Afful has assured that the company will continue to thrive in spite of the many challenges confronting its business.

He has therefore urged the workers of the company to give off their best and not to harbour any fears that the company may become unviable in the near future. He said the company has survived many turbulent business environments including the novel COVID-19.

End of year party/thanksgiving

Speaking at the company’s end of year party and 70th anniversary thanksgiving service in Accra on Thursday, December 24, 2020, Mr. Afful said although the company was badly affected by COVID-19, it has successfully managed its way out.

For him, “Graphic will not collapse” and the company will continue to flourish although its line of business may be diversified.

"I believe that we have survived COVID-19," he said, adding, "I think we have done well and we deserve applause for ourselves."

Mr. Afful noted that many companies, during the COVID-19 pandemic, cut down their staff, laid off people or even reduced salaries but GCGL did not cut down its staff, lay off people or reduce salaries.

“There is so much we should be thankful for," he said, adding that the company was able to survive the impact of COVID-19 because of how management and staff collaborated in the discharge of their duties.

Working together

Mr. Ato Afful therefore encouraged staff and management to continue to work together to sustain the gains of the company.

"We need to recommit and dedicate ourselves to the business," Mr. Afful stated. He said, "Our business is not dying as I hear people say; it will never, never die."

He, however, encouraged staff to contribute ideas to better the lot of the company, pointing out that 2021 is a season to rebuild.

The Graphic MD said the company requires more creativity to stay in business, and asked the staff and management to be more creative in their line of business.

"We require creativity, new thinking to survive the times”, he said, explaining that resorting to the old ways of doing things will affect the company’s viability and sustainability.

Commendation
Mr. Afful commended all the staff and management for their dedication and commitment to work. He particularly commended the company’s 70th anniversary planning committee for its wonderful execution of the anniversary activities.

Graphic Union
The Graphic Union Chairman, Mr. William Ashaley encouraged staff to work to improve the fortunes of the company, particularly its sales.

“We know that the company thrives on the circulation of our news, and so if we fail as individuals to play a part in ensuring that a friend gets interested in the paper then we are gradually spelling our doom”, he noted.

For him, the newspaper industry “May be dying but we as Graphic can make it better in Ghana,” adding that “The union is therefore ever prepared to partner management to arrest the situation in whatever way.”

Union’s expectations
Mr. Ashaley urged management to encourage a greater involvement of all, especially the Union for the greater good of the company.

He also cautioned management to refrain from acts that could cause the staff to rise up against their decisions, explaining that workers were not happy with the idea of some retired staff wanting to possess vehicles belonging to the company.

He has, therefore, cautioned management not to consider some of the company’s vehicles for sale to retired staff, saying “We wish to reiterate that these vehicles are not due for sale and therefore should not be considered under any circumstance for that.”

Mr. Ashaley added that “The Union hopes that the proper systems and structures will be put in place so that Union will not be forced” into going against management’s decisions.

He also admonished staff to desist from engaging in practices that could affect the fortunes of the company, noting “We must desist from negative acts that go to hurt the company directly and have consequential effects on all of us.”

The Union Chairman however expressed the hope that the coming year will offer better opportunities for the company, saying “We are looking forward to a better 2021 where all employees will put in their extra effort for the good of the company.”

Side attractions
The company used the occasion to reward staff and management members who have distinguished themselves in the cause of the year.

The overall Best Worker award went to Mr. Kwadwo Baffoe Donkor, a Senior Reporter in the Kumasi office of the company.