Tamale: Mr Albert Kofi Owusu, Chief Executive Officer of the Ghana News Agency (GNA), has led technical teams from the Engineering and Architectural Services Limited (AESL) and the Social Investment Fund (SIF) to jointly inspect the renovation of the Ghana News Agency Office block in Tamale. According to Ghana News Agency, the renovation project is solely funded by the Africa Development Bank with technical support from the SIF and AESL. It is part of a three-million dollar funding allocated to the GNA under the Post Covid-19 Skills Development and Productivity Enhancement Project (PSDPEP).
The PSDPEP is a $24 million initiative funded by the African Development Bank aimed at revitalising Ghana’s economy. The team expressed satisfaction with the speed and quality of the work being executed by the construction firm, noting that it was ahead of the timelines.
Renovation works at the GNA office in Tamale include replacing louvre blades with sliding windows, re-roofing the entire structure, changing tiles from PVC to ceramic, rewiring electrical systems, and providing new water, sewerage, and plumbing systems, along with painting to enhance the building’s appearance.
Other structural enhancement projects, such as wall fencing and the development of stores to boost income generation and sustain the Agency, are under consideration by AfDB and its partners. The structure, built approximately 50 years ago, has not undergone any major renovations until now. The Africa Development Bank’s support is seen as a significant relief to the Agency’s Management and staff and a step towards maximising efficiency and productivity.
In a brief meeting after the inspection, Mr Owusu expressed gratitude to the Management of ADB and its partners. He elaborated on the project components, highlighting the capacity building of staff as a key element still ongoing. The project also aims to enhance journalism’s role in Ghana’s recovery and rebuilding efforts post-pandemic.
The PSDPEP is a Government initiative funded by the Africa Development Bank and executed by the Social Investment Fund over five years. The Ghana News Agency is one of five beneficiaries of the $24 million project. The Agency is expected to develop audio-visual content for effective public health communication, encourage private-sector growth, address climate change and sustainable development, and promote gender advocacy and mainstreaming through its media role.
Mr Owusu further noted that the GNA was chosen due to its vital role in narrating the nation’s story with credibility and professionalism. The project focuses on health sector enhancement, gender parity promotion, women’s empowerment support, and climate-related issues, reflecting the Agency’s objectives of information dissemination, education, and entertainment.
Mr Isaac S. Agyei-Mensah, Zonal Consultant at the AESL in Tamale, commended the construction firm for its timely and quality delivery. He noted that the progress indicated early work completion and addressed minor client concerns. Mr Kwaku Agbesi, Procurement Specialist and Engineer from SIF, emphasized proper debris disposal and waste management, commending the contractor for adherence and urging protocol compliance.