General News of Monday, 9 October 2000

Source: GNA

Ghana Post to resume savings scheme

The Ghana Post Company Limited is working towards the resumption of its Post Office Savings Scheme in the country, which was suspended during the National Redemption Council (NRC) Regime.

The company is also expected to come out with a directory of postal addresses similar to that of the Ghana Telecom.

This will facilitate the identification of clients and assist in detecting fake addresses meant to mislead public officers and institutions during the course of their work.

Mr Godwin Y. Tetteh, Volta Regional Director of the Ghana Post Company, announced this at a forum to mark the 31st World Post Day celebration at Ho on Monday. It is under the theme "Expedited Mails Service".

Mr Tetteh said the re-introduction of the scheme had become necessary in order to promote saving habits among the rural people and low-income earners.

The company is also working towards the re-opening of postal agencies to bring services closer to the rural communities. He therefore appealed to the district assemblies to co-operate with the company to provide efficient services to the communities.

Mr Tetteh reminded the public that it is illegal to send currency notes, travellers cheques, metals, narcotic drugs, pornographic films and literature, arms and ammunition, radioactive, explosive, corrosive and inflammable materials through the post.

Captain George Kofi Nfodjo (Rtd), Ho District Chief Executive, requested the company to float shares to generate more capital for the expansion of their services. He also called on management to institute incentive packages for their workers and to encourage credit union activities within the company, saying these would help minimise the demand for increase in wages.

He gave the example of Kenya's success in popularising credit unionism among workers, which has helped in offsetting frequent demands for wage increases.

Mr Douglas Wagba, Volta Regional Head of Ghana Telecom, noted that it had become evident that the Ghana Post Company could exist independently contrary to the notion that this could not possible.

He observed that the introduction of the Expedited Mail Service by the company had contributed immensely to its financial viability and called on the workers to co-operate with management in overcoming problems that might confront it.