General News of Wednesday, 26 May 1999

Source: UNIVERSITIES OF GHANA OVERSEAS OFFICE

"NDC BUYS WEST AFRICA" Controversy

We have read your (Ghana Review) mail with great shock regarding the operation of West Africa Magazine from our Offices in City Road. The Office has not had any discussion with the NDC party in any circumstance. Neither has the party approached us for the use of our Offices for the West Africa Magazine.

We are rather in discussion with the GRAPHIC CORPORATION about the possibility of subletting part of our Offices for the operation of the West Africa Magazine should their current negotiations to acquire the magazine be successful. The discussion was purely exploratory.

WEST AFRICA MAGAZINE IS CURRENTLY NOT OPERATING FROM THE UNIVERSITIES OFFICE ON CITY ROAD, LONDON

In matters of this nature one would have expected your (GRi) Office checking the records before going on the air.

We would therefore appreciate if you would withdraw the misleading story immediately and also set the records straight.

KOBBY YEBO-OKRAH OVERSEAS REPRESENTATIVE UNIVERSITIES OF GHANA OVERSEAS OFFICE

Original Story by Ghana Review

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The NDC Govt through the Graphic Corporation, whose only shareholder is the govt, has purchased the West Africa magazine title from the liquidator in London, according to reliable sources.

Negotiations are complete and they have already started operations in the UK from the Ghana Universities Office located in City Road.

The purchase price has not yet been disclosed although the liquidator was inviting bids in excess of 200,000 pounds plus an investment of 500,000 pounds.

The purchase provides the NDC government with a mouthpiece for the overseas audience, especially in the run up to the 2,000 elections.