Accra, Jan. 4, GNA - The General Manager of the Ghana News Agency (GNA) Nana Appau Duah on Thursday said in spite of the numerous problems the Agency made giant strides in the past year.

These were mainly in terms of internal development, which was carried out under the supervision of the Board.

Addressing members of staff during a beginning of year prayer session, Nana Appau Duah said the overall performance in news coverage was also great, adding, 93GNA continues to hold sway in the coverage of news in Ghana, especially in the rural areas".

He noted that on the international front, the credibility and accuracy of GNA news was beyond question, adding 93in the complicated coverage of news in the country today you are safe with GNA news report" since they were seldom denied.

He catalogued the progress made in the last year as the rehabilitation of the Head Office and the Tema office, which were in a bad state.

Nana Appau Duah said plans to get GNA offices into good shape would not be limited to Accra but extended to Bolgatanga, Wa, Tamale and Hohoe offices, adding that some of them had already been provided with new furniture.

"Aside the physical infrastructure works, we are doing very well in the field of news, our core business" he said.

The General Manager said GNA had revamped its features and they were making the necessary impact both locally and internationally. Nana Appau Duah stated that the Photographic Section of the Agency had been revived leading to the attachment of photos to stories for subscribers during the World Cup in Germany last year and expressed the hope that the Section would improve upon its performance this year. He said the Advertising Department was also receiving increased patronage.

Mr Rex Owusu-Ansah, Board Chairman of GNA, congratulated the Management and Unions for taking advantage of the enabling environment it created to move the Agency forward.

"We are only here to create an enabling environment for the Management and Staff to perform better and that is exactly what you have done and we congratulate you," he said.

He condemned the writing of anonymous letters to certain governmental institutions in a bid to sabotage the Management and urged staff members to desist and direct their grievances to the Board, saying it was there for the good of both the Management and the workers.

"At the moment we are looking for ways to capitalise on the several opportunities in the Ghana@50 celebration, he said, and expressed the hope that the Agency would have more reasons to celebrate at the end of the year.

Mr Owusu-Ansah urged the staff to be inspired by the prayer session to enter the New Year on the right mental and spiritual orientation to perform better.

Member of staff took advantage of the occasion to dance their pain, complaints and sorrows of the past year away.

Some members of staff, including GNA's Samuel Dowuona of the Alabaster Box fame, and Stella Kissei of the Front Desk, provided renditions of popular gospel songs to the delight of the Management and Staff.

In a sermon, Rev Titus Glover, the GNA Chaplain, said the staff needed the blessings of God in the year for direction, leadership and guidance adding that blessings had special power and that God's blessings brought complete transformation.

He urged the staff to stretch out their hands to God as they could do absolutely nothing without His direction.

Rev Glover said the GNA at 50 meant a year of the total restoration of the lost glory and that everything would not be well until the people gave themselves to God.

Dr Akwasi Osei of the Bahai Mission said conflict existed in every human endeavour but what was important was how it was managed. "Different people with varied strengthen and weaknesses exist and we need to identify the weaknesses and manage them for the betterment of all", he said.

"Do not exaggerate the weakness of others neither must we overlook others as all of us have our weaknesses."