Graphic awards staff

Accra, Dec 21, GNA - The Graphic Communications Group Limited on Saturday honoured 62 of its workers for their outstanding and distinguished service to the company during the passing year of 2003. The awards, the first to be organised by the Company, were to recognise performance of workers in various departments at both the headquarters and regions.

There were also special awards by the Managing Director of the company to distinguished heads of management sections. Among the recipients were Ms Mabel Aku Banessah, a Contract Reporter, who had written more court stories and exclusive reports in other areas and ace cameraman Mr Ebow Hansen for his outstanding professionalism. Others included Mr Zakaria Tanko, for his in depth reporting of conflicts in the North and Mr Vance Azu for writing most of the front page stories for the Mirror newspaper this year.

Each of the award winners recognised for their achievements received a citation, a certificate, two million cash, and a one million cedis worth of gift voucher from Melcom Stores.

Ms Hadiza Nuhu-Billa, who was honoured for her "exceptionally good reports" in the Junior Graphic and for writing most of the stories in the Junior Garphic newspaper, was also the first prize winner of a 21-inch colour television from a raffle draw as part of the event. Mr Berifi Apenteng, Managing Director of Company said Management was committed to improving internal communication and a proactive relationship with the Workers Union and the entire workforce to eliminate the mistrust and suspicion between workers and Management. He said the Company had been able to resolve the thorny issue of salary for workers, which arose during the year.

Mr Apenteng also said it was necessary for workers to improve efficiency to enable them to face the stiff competition from competitors.

Mr Apenteng reminded the workers that next year, being an election year, would be more challenging to the company because of the envisaged establishment of more newspapers, and radio stations whom he said the company had already lost some of its patrons to.

He said both management and the workers could not afford to be complacent just because Graphic was the time leader in the field of journalism.

Mr Apenteng added that it was necessary to void complacency to maintain their leadership position.

He announced that the Company would start implementing a five year strategic plan from next year to serve as reference point for all developments in Company and more towards the realisation of its potential.