Ghana Publishing Company Must Be in Charge of All State Paperwork Including Textbooks – Otumfuo

The Monarch of the Asante Kingdom, Otumfuo Osei Tutu II, has advocated for the automatic awarding of contracts related to the printing of all state paperwork to the Ghana Publishing Company Limited (GPCL).

The King firmly believes that the company’s role should not be restricted to merely gazetting and printing private documents. Instead, it should be granted exclusive control over official state documents.

His Majesty says GPCL should be in charge of printing for all ministries, as well as textbooks distributed by the state to various schools.

During a meeting with the Acting Managing Director of the company, Nana Kwasi Boatey, on March 14, 2025, Otumfuo encouraged him to engage the government and various ministries on the matter.

“I don’t see why you are not the official state publisher of all state documents. It would be commendable for the government to award all such contracts to you. Push further for that measure to be put in place. Engage the various ministries too.”

Additionally, Otumfuo challenged him to enhance the company’s status during his tenure, elevating its reputation among public enterprises.

Introduction
The Acting MD was at the Palace primarily to introduce himself as the new leader of the company and to seek the King’s blessings.

“I came to introduce myself, seek His Majesty’s blessings, and assure him that I will honour him with my service. Just as he supported my predecessor, I implore him to extend the same support to me so I can deliver.”

Kumasi Production Line
He took the opportunity to thank Otumfuo for designating a representative to attend the opening of their new branch in Kumasi and further requested land for a permanent office.

“We would like to ask Nana for land where we can establish a permanent factory to undertake production and create more jobs. At our new office, we only receive published items from Accra, so it has few workers. We would like to establish a production line here.”

24-Hour Production
Nana Boatey proudly reported to the King that GPCL had taking the lead in implementing a 24-hour shift system, ensuring continuous production to meet demands and deadlines.

“Upon assuming office, I realised that there was a sufficient pool of workers to run a shift system day and night to meet demand, so I instituted that measure.”

He also disclosed that, as a result of this bold step, the company was, for the first time in eight years, mandated to print the 2025 Budget Statement, which was presented by Finance Minister Cassiel Ato Forson in Parliament on Tuesday.

Assurance
Regarding his request for land, Otumfuo said he would direct the Apagyahene to find a suitable location for them.

Mandate
The public printing company is primarily responsible for gazetting changes of name or date of birth, changes to company names, and appointments of marriage officers.

It also prints textbooks, value books, invoices, waybills, and posters, as well as selling the Constitution of Ghana, Acts of Parliament, Government Gazettes, and other official documents.

Source: opemsuo.com / Hajara Fuseini