Ghana Post, two others in Co-operation

Accra, May 3, GNA - Ghana Post (GP) Company Limited, TNT International Couriers and Nepostal of Netherlands on Wednesday started a system of mail distribution that makes Ghana the postal hub of West Africa.

The co-operation is aimed at making Ghana Post effective and to commit it more to its clients as well as foster development of business plan between Ghana Post and the two institutions.

It is expected to increase mail traffic to Ghana, which would also serve as a distributing point to West Africa, Europe, the Americas and Asia. Opening the meeting Deputy Minister of Communications, Mrs Rebecca Adotey commended GP for showing that it was ready to face the challenges of the 21st Century through the collaboration.

The three institutions should resolve the problem of different transmission times for mail dispatches to maintain the confidence of their clients. "Because of this, many postal organisations can hardly guarantee transmission times to their customers, leading to lack of confidence in many postal administrations in our sub-region".

She noted that the project would foster trade relations between Dutch companies and local firms in selected countries such as Ghana, as well as enable the advanced postal companies to transfer technical know-how, investment and generate employment.

Mrs Adotey said the collaboration would see the prospect of better quality control and service delivery between Ghana and the rest of the world. "This would boost the image of Ghana Post internationally and place the company in a strategic position, whereby competitive fees charged for its services will not be questioned by anybody".

Mrs Adotey pledged government's support to create the right environment for investment in Ghana Post. Mr Nicholas Derry, Deputy Managing Director of Ghana Post, said the project, which will cost 0.7 million dollars, would be completed in six phases over a two-year period. He said it would develop commercial relations between Ghana Post, TNT International and Nepostal.

The three would supervise the smooth operation of the hub and where necessary engage the services of air carriers, rail and road transport companies for the conveyance of mail to and from the hub.

Mr Alexander Heldring, Netherlands Ambassador commended the government for building bridges between the interests of foreign companies and business operations in Ghana. He said the embassy fully supports the project collaboration, saying it fits into Ghana's Gateway concept.