The Chief Executive Officer of the Ghana Publishing Company, Nana Kwasi Boatey, has dismissed claims by former CEO David Asante that the current administration is unfairly taking credit for the company’s transformation, describing the allegations as politically motivated.
His comments come amid a public exchange following praise by President John Dramani Mahama for the current management of the state-owned publishing firm. In response, Mr Asante argued that his tenure between 2017 and 2024 delivered unprecedented investment and growth, including a major facelift of the company, the acquisition of modern equipment, and the introduction of new production systems.
However, speaking on Citi Eyewitness News on Tuesday, January 20, Nana Kwasi Boatey said the remarks by the former Managing Director were driven by politics, adding that while progress was made in the past, the current management is pursuing a different and more strategic transformation.
Nana Kwasi Boatey maintained that when he assumed office, the company lacked a single digital printing machine, a situation he says limited productivity and competitiveness in the modern publishing space.
Nana Kwasi Boatey maintained that when he assumed office, the company lacked a single digital printing machine, a situation he says limited productivity and competitiveness in the modern publishing space.
According to him, his administration has prioritised investment in machinery and staff welfare, alongside efforts to stabilise the company’s finances.
“I think the former MD is just playing politics. I don’t know why he will do that. The company has seen a facelift no doubt, and every leadership has its focus. When Mr. David Asante came, he decided that the company’s structures needed some additional facelift, so you realise that the bitumen saw some pavement blocks, the building saw some painting, because for him the outlook of the company was important. Different focus.
“At the time, he didn’t think a digital press was important. I went there and I can tell you for a fact that there was not a single digital printing equipment. I want to leave an ultramodern printing and publishing house by the time I leave and how do you do that without machinery? I have focused on machinery and staff welfare. These are different focuses. When I went, the finances of the company were such that there was no liquidity,” he said.
He asserted that leadership transitions naturally come with shifting priorities, arguing that development at the Ghana Publishing Company should be viewed as a continuum rather than a competition over credit.
