Ghana Post urged to boost operations

The Deputy Minister of Communications, Mr Felix Ofosu Kwakye, has called on Ghana Post (GP) to boost its operations to generate more revenue to enable it to pay dividend to the government.

Speaking at the 2014 World Post Day, which was marked in Accra yesterday, he said the GP’s ability to improve its operations with the introduction of modern postal services would enable it to meet the postal needs of customers, while remaining in business.

Mr Kwakye noted that the GP had, over a decade, not been able to pay dividend to the government owing to its inability to make profit.

“Over the last 20 years, the postal industry has undergone profound fundamental changes, especially with the world turning into an information society. Therefore, the local postal industry requires business reformation to remain relevant in the national and international industry,” he added.

The day was marked in Ghana with a tree planting exercise by the Ministry of Communications and staff of GP as a symbol of sustaining life in order to remain in business.

The international and local theme for the celebration was, “The post, delivering for people and business daily”.

Considering PPP

Mr Kwakye said as a way to boost and reform GP’s operations, it could consider collaborating with the private sector under the government’s public-private partnership (PPP) policy.

Meanwhile, he said, the government was supporting the company to upgrade the infrastructure of some selected post offices into a one-stop shop for customers on a pilot basis, and that the upgrade was intended to be replicated in all post offices.

Mr Kwakye said that would limit the company’s dependence on the already limited financial resources of the government.

The Managing Director of GP, Mr Abudulai Abdul-Rufai, said measures had been initiated to keep the company in business, as well as provide quality service.

These include the introduction of new products and services aimed at boosting its operations, revenue generation and increasing its client base.

He explained that the GP dealt in the picking and delivery of mails and small parcels from institutions to the public.

According to him, it was also introducing Internet cafes at all post offices to ensure that all Internet-based services were provided for its clients.

He said GP, in collaboration with Star Microfinance, had also introduced the “Abusua Nkyemfa Micro insurance”, which is targeted at low income earners, traders, farmers, and artisans, among other professionals.

So far, 175 offices have been established nationwide on a pilot basis, with 18 being operational.