The Ghana Publishing Company Ltd has switched its services to full gear with the operationalisation of a 24-hour policy to increase production and enhance service delivery to the public.
The launch of the policy by the company that prints and publishes critical national documents such as Acts of Parliament, Constitutional Instruments and Legislative documents, among others, aligns with the government’s vision of boosting productivity around the clock.
Staff of the company are expected to run a three-shift system.
In addition to the launch, the company has announced plans to fully operationalise the use of its Electronic-Gazette system to improve accessibility to government publications.
It is also expected to open an Electronic-Shop system, which will allow customers to place orders for printing and publishing services online
The Minister of State in charge of Government Communications, Felix Kwakye Ofosu, who launched the 24-hour service yesterday, commended the leadership of the company for taking the lead in implementing the 24-hour policy before government officially launches the initiative.
He observed that in many instances, State-Owned Enterprises (SOEs) lagged behind private companies in competitive environments.
With the launch of the 24-hour service, coupled with its decade of operations, Mr Ofosu challenged the company to leverage the initiative to enhance its position in the Ghanaian market by encouraging innovation and effective management.
“I see no reason why state-owned enterprises, with all the support they can get and the entire government machinery behind the roof, cannot do better than private entities.
“It is my belief that with the launch of this 24-hour service by the GPCL, you will lift your colleagues in the sector and position yourself as the go-to place for printing and publishing within the Ghanaian economy and this is something that you should be able to achieve,” the minister stated.
Support
Mr Ofosu further pledged his support to advocate that the government gives more printing contracts to the GPCL.
He, however, emphasised the need for the company to demonstrate capacity and competitiveness, warning against complacency just because the company was an SOE.
“The mere ownership of the business by government does not mean that business principles should be undermined or compromised. We cannot also say that simply because you are owned by government, everything should be given to you on a silver platter, you must show the capacity to deliver,” he added.
Again, the minister urged the company not to only rely on government contracts but also to attract business from private organisations.
Testament
The acting Managing Director of the GPCL, Nana Kwasi Boatey, explained that the introduction of the 24-hour service was a testament to the company’s commitment to innovation, growth and excellence while positioning the GPCL as the leading force in printing and publishing in the country and beyond.
The MD said that despite the company’s long history and the critical role in the country, GPCL was saddled with serious challenges, particularly high taxation on imported paper and other printing materials leading to high cost of production.
As a result, he appealed to the sector minister to consider removing import taxes on paper and other essential materials used in the printing industry.
“By removing these taxes, the government will not only strengthen Ghana Publishing Company but also make it more affordable for local businesses, schools and government institutions to print locally, ultimately keeping revenue within the country,” he said.
He further called on the government to issue a directive mandating all Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs) to prioritise Ghana Publishing Company for all their printing and publishing needs.