Introduction
Mr. Chairman, Lloyd Evans of IFEJ, the Guest Speaker, Yaw Gyan Apenteng, Kwame Ahiabenu II and his team from Penplusbyte and the New Media Hub, Representatives from IFEJ, Representative from MTN, Representative from Online News Editors, MTN, TIGO, Airtel, Egypt Air, YAKDAN, Jogobu Company Limited, VIVO Ghana Limited, Carter Consults and SAPA, Clone Inventive, Ghana Business News and Eyeworld Communications Limited. My colleagues from the press and all other Protocols observed.
I am so happy to be addressing you today on the launch of this great website, www.newsghana.com.gh . It has been an exciting journey.
Background of News Ghana
News Ghana as we see it today is mixture of a hobby and a dream of two partners who are inseparable in many ways.
After Co-Founding Modern Ghana (Ghanaian News Website) and working as the Editor for Seven Years (from 2005 to 2012), I decided to do something different. However, I had not fully beheld the full picture of what really I wanted to do.
That notwithstanding I resigned and peacefully left Modern Ghana and went on to start Spy Ghana which was inspired by my wife, Mushuratu Don-Baare. She had started it as a blog which provided general news.
At the time she only updated it early morning and at night in order to make way for her day duties as a social worker and a business woman.
The turning point was when Infocus contacted her concerning a content she had published. They were meeting their partners and other stakeholders. She actually pleaded that she could not make it, but they told her and I quote “if you don’t come we will not close.”
True to their word, they waited for her and she joined the other partners for the meeting. That was when I saw the bigger picture. She wanted to maintain a blog as a hobby, but I saw a whole business and brand that had a great future.
Together we merged our ideas and moved quickly to transform the blog into a news website. We improved the logo, wording, interface and efficiency.
In no time, Spy Ghana became popular among many connoisseurs in the industry. It gradually descended to the general public. Google News accepted to add us to their portfolio without a hustle. Yahoo News also accepted us as news providers and that relationship has existed till date. International news agencies like the BBC, CNN, Daily Times (Nigera), Suncity TV (Nigeria) Aljazeera and New York Times among others have sited Spy Ghana in some of its publicatons.
Before the changeover, the average hits on Spy Ghana was about 150,000 daily, more than many websites in the country and even the West African Sub region.
Why the Change
Many will ask, If Spy Ghana was doing so well, why rebrand to News Ghana? It is simple, despites it wonderful prospects, Spy Ghana had a limitation.
1: Business Limitation: Most of our clients were apprehensive in dealing with us because of the name ‘SPY’. Most of the time, we had to persuade, convince and plead with our clients before they did business with us. In some cases, we were turned down and turned away because of the name. The good thing is that those who turn us down eventually came on board after we served them well.
2; Call from Clients: Clients also kept recommending a name change and a possible rebranding in order for them to be able to increase their business and dealing with us.
3; More Acceptable Brand: The popularity of Spy Ghana meant the challenges with the name will continue to slow down growth. Hence it became imperative to get a brand that is easily accepted before the situation gets out of hand.
4; Confusion with Competitors: Some clients also were confusing the Spy Ghana with other websites and vice versa.
All these and more led to the initiative to rebrand and get a distinctive name that will mitigate these challenges and also help break new grounds.
The Name News Ghana
Out of over 50 suggestions, the list was pruned down to 30 then later to 15 and then 5. At the end of the day, News Ghana came on top. We finally started streaming as www.newsghana.com.gh on 1st June, 2015. The switch, although challenging has so far been successful.
In just two months, the website has an average of 85,000 hits per day, over 6,000 likes on facebook, News feed subscribers are over 250,000 and over 2600 subscribers on Google+. The website has generated many discussions on various platforms and is gaining acceptance with the business world and the general public.
What News Ghana Does
The Special thing about News Ghana is its swiftness in publications. It articles focuses on general news, business, entertainment, sports, international and Africa among others. Unlike other news portals which are not traditional media houses, News Ghana generates original and credible content as well.
Being a privately owned website, it also focuses on growing the private sector which is the engine of growth.
It also partners with the state agencies and NGOs both local and international to facilitate conducive environment for growth in the local and international economy.
The Future
The Future is simple, to become the most authoritative news website in Africa and eventually the world.
Appreciation
News Ghana could not have come far without the help of so many people. First is the Almighty God for turning our hobby and dream into a reality. I want to thank my Wife, Mushuratu Don-Baare for her hobby and support all these years. My children for their understanding and believe in me and the News Ghana Team. I also want to thank Kwame Ahiabenu II of New Media Hub and Penplusbytes for accommodating News Ghana and giving it a space in this beautiful edifice.
Many thanks also go to Institute of Financial and Economic Journalists (IFEJ), World Bank, MTN, TIGO, Airtel, Egypt Air, YAKDAN, Jogobu Company Limited, VIVO Ghana Limited, Carter Consults and SAPA, Clone Inventive, Ghana Business News and Eyeworld Communications Limited.
I want to thank all those who send me content and articles to keep the page running. All websites and media outlets in the country are also well acknowledged.
Thank all of you for making this launch a success. All those who I could not mention, know that you are not forgotten, for God will bless you too.
Long Live News Ghana!
Long Live Us All!!
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