Accra: The Select Committee on Information and Communications in Parliament has pledged to ensure the Ghana News Agency (GNA) is allocated adequate resources to enhance its operations for effective delivery on its mandate. The assurance comes on the back of the committee's working visit to the Agency to abreast itself of the operations of the organisation and identify challenges hampering its operations that require intervention. It also assessed ongoing renovation works on the Head office at the Ministries in Accra.

According to Ghana News Agency, the Committee was led by its Chairman, Dr. Abednego Bandim, and included Mr. Charles Asuako Owiredu, the Deputy Ranking Member, Mr. Simon Aworigo Akibange, Mr. Nelson Kofi Djabab, and Mr. Felix Okle Akwetey, among others. Dr. Bandim, briefing the media after the tour, stated that the committee had taken notice of the Agency's challenges and would embark on the necessary steps to ensure they were addressed.

Dr. Bandim mentioned that the committee would prepare reports and highlight the challenges observed, recommending to Mr. Speaker to involve the relevant ministries and ministers in addressing these issues. He also noted that some challenges could be managed by the Agency's management, such as reviewing the Agency's Legislative Instrument and addressing the encroachment on its lands and property.

On the issue of land encroachment, Dr. Bandim urged the management to secure all the Agency's lands and property by ensuring proper registration to avoid a takeover. He emphasized the importance of having proper documentation for lands, especially those in regions like Kumasi.

The Chairman also encouraged the Agency to leverage technology and innovate to stay relevant, suggesting that modernizing operations would enable GNA to generate more revenue. He highlighted the monetary value of timely and well-packaged news and information.

Mrs. Beatrice Asamani Savage, the Director of Editorial at GNA, pointed out logistical and poor working conditions as key factors impeding the Agency's effectiveness. She explained that poor remuneration had led to a high attrition rate, making it difficult for the organisation to retain highly qualified journalists.

Mrs. Savage noted that salaries are very low, and there are no enterprise-level allowances to support staff. She emphasized that the motivation to work comes from a commitment to national interest and the noble vision of the Agency.

Regarding logistics, Mrs. Savage mentioned that the Agency relied on outdated vehicles until the African Development Bank supported the procurement of four new cars. She appealed to the Committee to assist in acquiring more vehicles, particularly for regional offices, to enhance operations. She also urged the Committee to support the Agency in fully digitizing its activities to improve speed.