Graphic Boss Ashigbey Quits

Managing Director of the Graphic Communications Group Limited (GCGL), Kenneth Edem Ashigbey, has tendered his resignation.

He reportedly disclosed this to staff of GCGL last week after submitting his resignation letter to the National Media Commission (NMC).

The announcement was made in a memo said to have been issued and signed by Mr Ashigbey.

This was after staff of GCGL expressed worry about the commitment of the MD to the Group following reports that he had tendered his resignation to his employers, the NMC.

In what appears to be a forced confession, Mr. Ashigbey said in the memo dated 14th September, 2017 and addressed to Union Executives and all staff that “the truth is that I have tendered my resignation to my employer, the NMC.”

“However, they are yet to respond to my letter. This is the reason why I have not officially informed you of my decision,” he added.

Sources at GCGL said the said announcement was greeted with excitement by most staff who wanted the exit of the MD.

They accused him of failing to improve working conditions at GCGL over the last six years.

DAILY GUIDE understands that Mr. Ashigbey, in his resignation letter to the NMC, cited the appointment of columnist and Director of Newspapers of GCGL, Yaw Boadu Ayeboafo, to the NMC's Board by President Akufo-Addo as reason for his resignation.

Mr Ayeboafo works under Mr Ashigbey at GCGL but per his appointment by the President to the NMC Boad, it means he would be answerable to the columnist at some point which turned the ethical issue into a personal matter.

However, sources at NMC said it was unnecessary for the MD to state the reason for his resignation since it was not a requirement.

Telecom Chamber Job
DAILY GUIDE gathered that he resigned because he had been offered the post of Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the Chamber of Telecommunications to replace renowned broadcast journalist, Kwaku Sakyi-Addo, who was appointed as Chairman of the Governing Board of the National Communications Authority (NCA) by President Akufo-Addo.

When DAILY GUIDE contacted Mr Ashigbey, he said that indeed he had tendered his resignation, but wondered how a memo sent to his workers was leaked to the public.

Mr. Ashigbey was appointed by NMC as the Managing Director of the Graphic Communications Group Limited in October 2011 and his appointment took effect from November 1, the same year.

In a post on his Facebook wall after the death of President Atta Mills, Mr Ashigbey alleged that the late President offered him the job even though he didn't know him.

He previously worked with the Multimedia Group, and Metro TV.

Mass Resignation
Ashigbey's tenure at Graphic saw agitations by the workers, who accused him of running down the group.

Over 15 outstanding workers of the company in 2016 resigned during the tenure of Mr Ashigbey.

They include Kofi Yeboah, William Asiedu, Andy Kwao, Asamoah Boahene, Kweku Essel, Night Editor, Stephen Tsikata, Shirley Acquah Harrison, just to mention a few.

“Sadly, the company has not been able to find equally exceptional people to fill the huge gaps that the 15 workers have created in the company,” a unionized staff of Graphic, who was unhappy with happenings in the company, told DAILY GUIDE earlier this year.

He stated that factors such as the lack of motivation, discrimination in the company with regards to promotions, lack of proper working incentives for most of the workers, among others, reportedly compelled them to leave the company.

According to him, factors that forced the 15 members to resign from the company still persist in the company, adding that more workers of the company, especially those in the editorial and marketing units, were also planning to resign this year.

The aggrieved staff of Graphic said the current management of the company had caused the myriad of challenges facing the company.

The source called on the appropriate bodies to intervene in the matter to address the numerous challenges.

He alleged that management had strangely cancelled some monies owed Graphic by some companies at a time when workers were calling for improved incentives and remuneration.