GPCL MD challenges former MD over credit for company's gains

The Managing Director of Ghana Publishing Company Limited (GPCL), Nana Kwasi Boatey, has challenged his predecessor, David Asante Boateng, to clarify claims over the company’s achievements, disclosing that the company is facing a GH¢22 million tax demand.

In a press statement issued on November 5, 2026, Boatey said the Ghana Revenue Authority (GRA) had written to the company demanding payment of outstanding Value Added Tax (VAT) covering the period from 2020 to 2024.

He described the tax liability as the company’s biggest current challenge.

The statement was issued in response to comments he attributed to former Managing Director David Asante Boateng, who had questioned his account of the company’s progress and claimed credit for some of its achievements.

Boatey said he presented GPCL’s performance at the Government Accountability Series at the Presidency on November 2, 2026, outlining measures introduced by management over the past 18 months.

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According to him, the company recorded a profit after tax of GH¢16.9 million in 2025, up from GH¢2.4 million in 2024.

He said the figures were contained in the company’s 2025 financial statements from the Auditor-General.

Among the achievements he highlighted were the introduction of a three-shift working system, the establishment of a modern digital printing centre and an investment of €1.5 million in printing equipment and a security press.

He also cited the acquisition of a 550KVA generator and three new vehicles, as well as a banking arrangement with Consolidated Bank Ghana (CBG) to ensure that company funds are paid directly into its bank account.

Boatey further said management increased basic staff salaries by 40 percent in 2025 and established departments for quality control, sales and marketing, and legal services.

He challenged Mr Boateng to identify any of the achievements he considered inaccurate or attributable to work undertaken during his tenure.

On the company's financial position, Boatey asked his predecessor to clarify whether records showed that no VAT payments were made in 2020 and 2024.

He also sought clarification on the bank balance at the time of handover and whether the company had relied on a bank overdraft to pay staff salaries.

“I will not respond to insults with insults,” he said.

Boatey also offered to make the GRA tax demand, financial statements, bank statements, handover documents and other relevant records available to any independent person seeking to verify the claims.

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He said he was prepared to correct any factual inaccuracies supported by evidence, urging all parties to focus on documented records rather than personal exchanges.

DR/MA

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