Ghana News Agency and Agenzia Italia sign pact
The Ghana News Agency (GNA) has signed a partnership agreement with the News Agency of Italy, or Agenzia Italia (AGI), for collaboration in a number of areas, including the exchange of news and technical co-operation.
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The agreement, the first of its kind involving the GNA and a foreign news agency, would enhance the two-way flow of news and information between Ghana and Europe, as well as exchange programmes for the sharing of experiences by journalists from the two news organisations.
Speaking during the signing ceremony at the GNA headquarters in Accra, Dr Bernard Otabil, General Manager of the GNA, who initialled for his organisation, described the event as “a turning point in the history of the Agency”.
He said in addition to enhancing their credibility, the partnership would also enable both agencies serve the information needs of their people better and promote the cause of development.
He thanked the AGI delegation for their expression of confidence in the GNA, and said the agreement would help improve the performance of both the GNA and the AGI.
Dr Otabil also commended the Italian Ambassador to Ghana, Ms Laura Carpini, who had played a significant role in making the partnership between the two news agencies possible.
On his part, Mr Gianni Di Giovanni, Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of AGI said the agreement would allow the two countries to strengthen their relationship, as well as foster cultural co-operation.
Mr Di Giovanni said the GNA was established around the same period as the AGI, and that with same reputation, they would be able to positively impact the dissemination of news worldwide.
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He said the AGI was currently embarking on an international expansion drive, and that the collaboration with GNA and other African news organisations was an important aspect of the initiative.
Ms Laura Carpini, Italian Ambassador to Ghana, noted that the agreement between the AGI and GNA would further strengthen the bilateral relations between Ghana and Italy.
The ambassador further indicated that the two countries were socially, culturally and economically related and that her mission would be looking forward for new areas of partnership between the people of Ghana and Italy.
She congratulated the GNA and the AGI on the agreement reached, saying that it would allow for the free flow of information not just between Ghana and Italy but to other parts of the world as well.
Mr Reginald Laryea, Chairman of the GNA Board of Directors, noted that Italy had proved to be one of Ghana’s reliable supporters in many ways. “The signing of this agreement today is a concrete confirmation of that relationship”, he added.
Mr Laryea said the exchange of news between the GNA and AGI was a significant move, especially for Ghanaians resident in Italy.
Other members of the AGI delegation from Italy were Mr Alessandro Pica, General Manager and Mr Roberto Iadicicco, Editor-in-Chief of the agency.