Minister of Information, Kojo Oppong Nkrumah has implored State Owned Media Organisations to take advantage of the digitalisation arena to diversify their operations to fit the current change in online media.
“As I am sure you are aware, the media landscape continues to change as a result of technology and today all over the world, the newspaper industry is facing its challenges,” Mr Oppong-Nkrumah said.
Speaking after touring the Graphic Communications Group Limited as part of his familiarisation tour of State Owned Media Organisations, the Minister said the media landscape remains dynamic, therefore, the industry must adopt strategies to remain relevant.
While commending Graphic for the strides made within the digital space, Mr. Oppong Nkrumah said more needs to be done to propel its digital drive.
He asked that it pursues the online agenda aggressively, to stay in business.
“You have done well by having a subsidiary that does well in bringing in significant revenues to shore up the other fronts but beyond that, the conversation of how you will also take full advantage of the digital space is one that is yet to be fully achieved.”
“However, it is obvious that a lot more can be achieved with your digital or online operations than is being achieved currently because the future may not necessarily lie with hardcopy and the aggression and speed with which you are able to venture and claim territory in the digital space is what will determine how sustainable your operation will be moving forward,” he said.
Chairman of the National Media Commission, Yaw Boadu Ayeboafo also called for greater collaboration between the Ministry and state-owned media.
“I am asking for a greater collaboration between the Ministry and state-owned media, help Graphic not just to collect the debt that public institutions owe but for instance, if all our missions were subscribing copies when people visit our missions they will get genuine information and not from the grapevine,” Mr. Ayeboafo asked.
Managing Director of the Graphic Communications Group Limited, Ato Afful said it is working assiduously to make digitalisation a pivotal agenda in its operations.
“The company had already embraced the challenge to make its digital offerings central to its operations. He said the company is taking advantage of its print advantage to finance its digital operations,” Mr Ato Afful noted.
The Minister was accompanied by the Chairperson of the Parliamentary Committee on Communication, Cynthia Morrison, and Alhaji A.B.A Fuseini, and other members of the Ministry.
By: Hannah Dadzie.
