Printers, packagers to be honoured

Accra, Oct. 5, GNA - For the first time in Ghana, printers, packagers and allied services in the paper conversion industry are to be honoured for their contribution to the growth of the industry. The awards, dubbed: "Printing and Packaging Awards 2005" is scheduled for mid-December, 2005.

The award, which is in three categories, is open to all registered members of the Ghana Printers and Papers Conversion Association (GHAPPCA).

The categories are Dedication to Industry, Corporate Excellence and Allied Services.

Mr James Appiah Berko Snr., President of GHAPPCA, who launched the programme in Accra on Wednesday, said the objective of the awards was to reward innovation, excellence and creativity in the printing and paper conversion industry.

He said the awards were aimed at showing appreciation to individuals for their pioneering role as well as those with good corporate citizenship.

Mr Appiah Berko said a committee of experts would be put in place to do the selection based on laid down criteria. He said the experts would look out for institutions that had supported the growth of the printing, packaging and publishing in Ghana. Mr Appiah Berko said the team would take into consideration those with proven professional track record as well as their entrepreneurial ability in the industry.

He said companies selected for the awards would be those that had fulfilled their national obligations and social responsibilities in the community in which they worked.

Mr William Turkson, General Secretary of GHAPPA, appealed to the Government for tax exemptions for local printers to enable them to compete favourably with foreign printers. He said the foreign printers were given tax exemptions that made their products very cheap on the Ghanaian market. 05 Oct. 05