US Embassy, Graphic deepen relationship

The Graphic Communications Group Ltd (GCGL) and the US Embassy in Ghana have committed to enhancing the flow of information between the two sides for the mutual benefit of the two countries. 

Acknowledging that effective communication is crucial to sustainable development, the two pledged to continue to work to remove any barriers to the free flow of information as they strengthen their partnership.

This came to light when the Press Attaché of the US Embassy, Mathew Asada, paid a courtesy call on the Editor, Graphic, Theophilus Yartey, in Accra last Thursday as part of their age-old cordial relationship.

Mr Yartey received the US Embassy press delegation in the company of the News Editor, Samuel Doe Ablordeppey; the Assistant Editor, Graphic Business, Charles Benoni Okine, and the Foreign News Editor, Mary Tawiah Mensah.

The two parties discussed the critical role the newspaper industry played in national development, nailing down specifically the outstanding contribution of the Daily Graphic to the country’s development spanning over 70 years, and the next chapter of the organisation.

They underscored the need to leverage that potential for their mutual benefit.

Graphic’s commitment

Mr Yartey said the GCGL was aware of the solid relationship between the US Embassy and the company, dating as far back as seven decades, and would not take it for granted.

"We have deepened our relationship with the US Embassy over the years in terms of news coverage. We have worked closely with officials from the embassy in that regard, and are prepared to extend all courtesies to you as the new press attache," he said. 

The Editor, Graphic, further observed that as they sought to consolidate the gains made over the years, it was important that they proiritised the free flow of information.

He also stressed the need for them to explore capacity-building programmes for journalists to upgrade their knowledge in the field.

“I want my journalists to get that exposure both locally and internationally so that they can produce good content for all of us,” he added.
 

Familiarisation

Mr Asada said being a new official at the US Embassy, the visit to the GCGL was an opportunity for him to familiarise himself with the partnership between the two institutions in terms of news coverage to take it a notch higher.

"I have always been a newspaper person because I grew up loving to read the newspapers, so it feels good to be in partnership with the Daily Graphic," he said.

He stressed that communication was a critical aspect of humanity, for which reason it must be prioritised for sustainable development.

"That is why we need to strengthen our relationship with Graphic, which is a major player in the newspaper industry in Ghana," he said.

Elections

Mr Asada commended the Ghanaian media for a good coverage of the December 7 elections and the post-election brouhaha.

He said it was refreshing that for the first time in the country’s history, the Ghana Journalists Association (GJA) set up a national media collation centre to monitor and collate the election results fairly.