Ghana Publishing turns fortunes around after adopting 24-Hour Economy – MD

The Ghana Publishing Company Limited (GPCL) has achieved operational and financial stability after adopting the Government’s 24-Hour Economy policy.

Nana Kwasi Boatey, Managing Director of GPCL, disclosed this when President John Dramani Mahama visited the Company in Accra on Wednesday as part of his tour of selected state-owned media, publishing and printing institutions.

He said the introduction of a two-shift, 24-hour production system had reversed years of operational challenges and helped avert job losses.

Nana Boatey said management took inspiration from the Government’s initiative and introduced a night shift, effectively creating two shifts, a move that saved about 100 jobs that would otherwise have been cut.

He said the reforms had reduced turnaround time for the publication of gazettes from about eight weeks to three weeks, with a new 24-hour gazette service enabling applicants to receive documents within a day.

“Since then, revenues have improved significantly. We have opened a new digital press centre, fully fabricated from what used to be a warehouse, and the financials of the company have also improved,” he said.

Nana Boatey disclosed that within 10 months, the Company had paid a 13th-month salary without borrowing, committed to a 40 per cent salary increase for staff, and placed GH¢15 million in fixed deposits.

President Mahama commended management and the Board for the turnaround, noting that unlike other state-owned enterprises he had visited, Ghana Publishing was no longer seeking a bailout.

“For a long time, Ghana Publishing did not have a very good brand. But it is refreshing to see that this is no longer a tale of woe,” the President said.

The President praised the adoption of the 24-Hour Economy model and encouraged the Company to be among the first to register under the proposed 24-Hour Economy Authority to benefit from incentives once Parliament approves the framework.

He also welcomed efforts to position the Company as a leading printing brand, noting ongoing discussions to secure a significant share of government textbook and learning materials printing contracts to support further retooling.

The GPCL is mandated to print, publish and disseminate government publications, including the Ghana Gazette, Acts of Parliament, Legislative Instruments, constitutional documents, budgets and other official state materials.

The Company plays a critical role in giving legal effect to government notices and laws, while also providing commercial printing services to public and private institutions.

President Mahama inaugurated a new Digital Press Centre for the GPCL as part of his visit.

He had earlier toured the Ghana Broadcasting Corporation and the Graphic Communications Group Limited.