GPCL MD defends record, challenges predecessor over GH¢22m VAT debt

The Managing Director of the Ghana Publishing Company Limited (GPCL) has defended his administration’s record, challenging his predecessor, David Asante Boateng, to account for about GH¢22 million in outstanding Value Added Tax (VAT) liabilities and the company’s financial position at the time he left office. The exchange follows the current MD’s appearance at the Government Accountability Series on November 2, 2026, where he outlined GPCL’s achievements and challenges.

Mr Boateng had reportedly claimed that he built the company from nothing into a profitable institution and advised his successor to “think more and talk less”. In a statement issued on Thursday, November 5, 2026, the current Managing Director responded to comments by Mr Boateng on Facebook suggesting that he was taking credit for achievements recorded during his predecessor’s tenure.

The MD said his administration had recorded several operational and financial improvements over the past 18 months, including a profit after tax of GH¢16.9 million in 2025, compared with GH¢2.4 million in 2024. The MD outlined ten interventions he said had been undertaken under his leadership: Implementation of a three-shift operational system in line with the government’s 24-hour economy agenda.

Establishment of a teller arrangement with CBG to ensure company funds are paid directly into the bank. Establishment of a modern Digital Press Centre. Acquisition of three new vehicles — a Land Cruiser V6 and two Jetour Dashing vehicles. Acquisition of a 550kVA power-generating plant. Investment of €1.5 million in production-line retooling. Improvement in financial performance, with the 2025 audited financial statements showing a profit after tax of GH¢16.9 million, compared with GH¢2.4 million in 2024.

Establishment of Quality Control, Sales and Marketing, and Legal departments. A 40 per cent increase in basic salaries in 2025. A comprehensive facelift of company facilities. The MD also identified a demand by the Ghana Revenue Authority (GRA) for approximately GH¢22 million in outstanding VAT liabilities relating to the period between 2020 and 2024 as one of the company’s major financial challenges.

He challenged Mr Boateng to clarify whether GPCL had been left with the outstanding liabilities and whether VAT payments had not been made during the period. “I respectfully invite Mr Boateng to clarify the following: Does he dispute that GPCL was left with approximately GH¢22 million in outstanding VAT liabilities relating to the period 2021 to 2024?

Is it also not the case that VAT payments were not made during those years?” he asked. The MD also questioned the company’s financial position when Mr Boateng left office in February 2025, asking whether its bank balance was approximately GH¢400,000 and whether salary payments were being facilitated through a bank overdraft. The current MD said his response was not intended to engage in personal attacks but to ensure that the public had a clear picture of the company’s performance and financial position.