President hails Graphic as credibility standard
President Mahama has lauded the Daily Graphic and its sister brands as the nation’s standard for credible journalism and announced a major government directive to award contracts for printing basic school textbooks to the Graphic Communications Group Ltd (GCGL).
The move is part of a broader strategy to ensure the financial sustainability of the state-owned media giant.
The President's announcement came during his visit to the GCGL Head Office last Thursday, as part of a comprehensive working tour of key state media institutions aimed at revitalising public-interest media.
The President was accompanied by the Minister of State in charge of Government Communications and Presidential Spokesperson, Felix Kwakye Ofosu.
Trusted institution
During his engagement with staff and management of the GCGL, President Mahama was unequivocal in his praise for the flagship newspaper.
Mark Agodoa (4th from right), Head of GBC’s Digital Platform, briefing President John Dramani Mahama (3rd from right); Felix Kwakye Ofosu (right), Minister of Government Communications; Prof. Amin Alhassan (2nd from right), Director-General of GBC, and other dignitaries on the functions and activities of the Digital Studio Department, highlighting how it manages content creation, digital broadcasting and online engagement during a tour of the Social Media Office
“Graphic is the leading newspaper in this country and when it comes to credibility, Graphic is the standard,” the President stated.
He highlighted the unique public trust in the brand, noting that Ghanaians often used the phrase “buy me Graphic” as a synonym for buying a newspaper.
He commended the company’s successful adaptation to the digital age, stating that readers consistently returned to Graphic’s online portals to authenticate news from other sources.
The Managing Director of the GCGL, Ato Afful, briefed the President on the company's challenges and successes.
Addressing the financial challenges posed by the global digital shift in media, President Mahama outlined concrete support.
He revealed that following discussions at Cabinet on strengthening public media, a strategic decision had been taken.
“The Minister of Finance, in the last budget, talked about printing textbooks and learning materials for basic schools,” the President said.
“I have directed that a good proportion of that printing business be brought to Graphic,” he added.
This directive, he said, was designed to provide a substantial and reliable revenue stream to underpin GCGL’s operations and its public service mandate.
The President tasked the Minister of Government Communications to collaborate with the Ministry of Education to execute the plan.
Historic first stop
The President's tour had begun earlier in the day at the Ghana Broadcasting Corporation (GBC), which its Director-General, Prof. Amin Alhassan, described as a “historic” event, the first by a sitting President in decades.
To address GBC’s severe financial constraints, President Mahama announced that the government was actively considering a new sustainable funding model, potentially involving a dedicated public media levy.
He also pledged to address the broadcaster’s legacy debts through the Office of the Chief of Staff.
Ghana Publishing Company
The final stop on the tour at the Ghana Publishing Company Limited (GPCL) revealed dramatic financial news.
The Managing Director, Nana Kwasi Boatey, disclosed a stunning 10-month recovery.
From a precarious position in January 2025, when it used an overdraft to pay salaries, disciplined management under the new administration had seen the state publishing company build a GH¢15 million fixed deposit.
This newfound strength has allowed for the payment of a 13th-month salary and an immediate 40 per cent increase in salaries for all staff.
President Mahama hailed the GPCL as a “shining example that state-owned enterprises do not necessarily need to be loss-making”.
The President also used the occasion at the GPCL, an early adopter of shift work, to announce that the committee reviewing the framework for the government’s 24-Hour Economy policy had completed its work.
“The 24-Hour Economy Authority will be established soon,” he said.
