President Mahama pledges government support to Graphic Communications Group Ltd.
President John Dramani Mahama has given the clearest indication yet of the government's support for the Graphic Communications Group Ltd., pledging to address longstanding operational challenges and ensure the state-owned media house remains financially viable and technologically competitive.
The President made the commitment during a visit to the Graphic Communications Group Ltd. on January 8, 2026, where he met management and staff as part of a broader tour of state-owned media organisations.
Introducing him to staff, the Minister in Charge of Government Communications, Mr Felix Kwakye Ofosu, said the President deliberately chose to visit Graphic in person than relying solely on reports.
He said the President’s background in media practice informed his keen interest in how state media institutions operate and the challenges they face.
“He is someone who has extensive background in media practice and is therefore one of your own. And so at every point in time, he is interested to find out how you are faring and how your work is unfolding,” Mr Kwakye Ofosu said.
He noted that while the President was aware of the efforts of state media workers, he also recognised the need for direct assessment. “His Excellency is not the type who just likes to push pen and paper behind his desk at the Jubilee house. He likes to step onto the field and assess the situation for himself,” he added.
Addressing staff, President Mahama said his administration had prioritised strengthening the state-owned media since assuming office, given their constitutional mandate and critical role in national development.
“As Felix said, I'm a person with a media and communication background, and I know the importance of the public or state-owned media when it comes to disseminating information,” the President said.
He said the visit was intended to give him first-hand knowledge of the challenges facing the organisation, noting the rapid transformation of the media landscape and the increasing speed at which news and information circulate.
“We know that the media environment is changing very fast, and news and information move at a very high speed,” he said, while commending Graphic for its efforts to digitise its operations.
President Mahama acknowledged that as a public media institution, Graphic carried responsibilities beyond commercial considerations. “Because you are public media, you have to cover content that is broader than the private media. And sometimes you have to cover content that is not immediately exciting to your public, but it is necessary to cover it,” he said.
He stressed that the government, as the sole shareholder, had a duty to ensure the organisation’s sustainability so it could continue to fulfil its constitutional mandate.
Referring to the company's outdated equipment, the President recalled commissioning some of the machines during his previous term in office. “The issues with your equipment, which I was here in 2013 to commission, is several years old now, and so you're having some difficulties,” he said, adding that the matter would be addressed.
“So we're going to take this back, and then you can be sure that you hear from us very soon, so that we make you able to discharge the mandate that the Constitution has given you,” he assured.
President Mahama also disclosed plans to direct significant government printing contracts to state-owned printing institutions, including Graphic, to help boost revenue. “Government is going to print textbooks and all other learning material for the basic schools and things, we must ensure that Graphic and the other state printing organisations get a big chunk of these contracts so that you can earn money to be able to improve your work,” he said.
He described Graphic as a national institution with deep roots in Ghanaian society. “I remember since we were kids, if your father wanted to send you to buy newspaper, ‘Ose kƆ tƆ Graphic ma me’ – everybody knows newspaper means Graphic – and so we will help you to continue to maintain your position as a leading newspaper in this country,” he said.
The President said discussions with management had been comprehensive and reaffirmed the government’s readiness to support the organisation. “As your sole shareholder, we will stretch a hand of help to you so that you continue to be the leading brand,” he said.
