General News of Friday, 22 March 2002

Source: GNA

Ghana Post to apply technology - Minister

Workers of the Ghana Post Company have been reminded that postal services in the country have been thrust into a competitive environment, and that the future success and existence of the company depended on the application of technological innovations to existing operations.

Mr. Felix Owusu Agyepong, Minister of Communications and Technology said they should develop and implement new ideas that would ensure the expansion of the range of value-added services.

This was contained in an address read for him by Mr. John Achuliwor, Deputy Minister of Communications and Technology at the opening of a two-day annual review conference of the Ghana Post Company at Takoradi on Thursday. The conference, which is being attended by Regional and Sectional Heads, is under the theme; "Applying technology in postal delivery to improve quality service."

Mr. Agyepong commended the board of the company for exhibiting dedication, commitment and a high sense of responsibility to make the company "Viable, strong and reliable," even though it had been in office within a relatively short period. The Minister expressed satisfaction about the determination of the company to adopt new ideas to enhance its operations to withstand stiff competition.

He also lauded the company for the initiative to collaborate with external agencies such as the Agricultural Development Bank (ADB), Electricity Company of Ghana (ECG) and the State Insurance Company (SIC) to expand and increase its revenue base.

Mr. Isaac Adu-Boahene, Managing Director, said the Ghana Post Company was, introducing track and trace equipment for electronic mail service and other priority mail items and install stamp cancelling machines among others as another means to meet challenges facing it.

"Efforts are also underway to network the company's counters to enable it perform more agency Services", he disclosed and said this would commence by April this year.