A nine-member board of directors of the New Times Corporation (NTC), publishers of the Ghanaian Times and The Spectator newspapers, was yesterday sworn in with a call to management and the unions to work together for the progress of the corporation.
The newly-inaugurated board has former Vice Chancellor of the University of Media, Art and Communication (UNIMAC), Professor Kwamena Kwansah-Aidoo as its chairman, with Mr Kwesi Adjei Kersi, Dr Theresa Larteley Adu and Lawrence Roland Satuh, as board members.
The rest are Dr Charity Binka, Mr Julio De-Medeiros, Mr Samuel S. Sarfo, Mr Abdul Moomin-Gbana and the Managing Director (MD) of NTC, Mr Martin Adu-Owusu.
In an address, the chairman of the National Media Commission (NMC), Mr Yaw Boadu-Ayeboafoh, who swore the new board into office urged the corporation not to allow itself to be used as a receptacle for the spread of falsehood.
He advised the management to work closely with the board in a constructive manner in order to put the corporation on a higher pedestal.
Mr Boadu-Ayeboafoh encouraged management to be forthcoming with information regarding the state of the corporation whilst ensuring that all members were informed and engaged.
That approach, he said, would help prevent any form of misunderstanding and promote a harmonious work environment.
“Let us contribute our best to the organisation in order to promote ourselves and also do our best whiles we are here so that people will look back to us as a recognition and a big influence,” he said.
The Managing Director of NTC, Mr Martin Adu-Owusu, highlighted the corporation’s achievements and challenges and also commended the outgoing board chairman, the former Rector of the Ghana Institute of Journalism, Dr Kwaku Rockson and his team for their guidance and contributions to the corporation’s progress.
“We have adopted stringent measures to block all identified loopholes, avoid revenue leakages and engage in prudent expenditures. We have also paid off a long-standing bank overdraft for our operations,” he said.
Mr Adu-Owusu said that as a state-owned media, the organisation was committed to updating its strategy to ensure fair and equitable coverage of all political parties as the general elections approached, adding that the strategies would be in line with NMC guidelines.
“This strategy will ensure that our reporting meets the highest standards of impartiality and transparency, as mandated by the 1992 constitution. We’ll present our plan to the NMC and the public soon, reaffirming our commitment to balanced reporting,” he said.
On his part Prof. Kwansah-Aidoo expressed his heartfelt gratitude to the MD of NTC and staff for the collaborative efforts and unwavering support in promoting the corporation’s interests and facilitating the acquisition of a new printing machine.
He acknowledged the collective efforts in driving this initiative forward and pledged to continue working together with management to ensure the success of the corporation.
BY AGNES OWUSU
