These have been very challenging period for Printers the world over and Ghana in particular. And with the vision to be an Association whose positive sensitivity to both the human and marketing needs of the industry will be second to none, WHERE To Print Ghana sought to know how Ghana Printers & Paper Converters Association (GPPCA) has impacted its members over the years aside other sundry issues that bother on the survival of the industry. Read excerpt of the SPECIAL FEATURE INTERVIEW with Mr. James Appiah Berko, President GPPCA below:
PRINTERS THE WORLD OVER IN THE LAST FEW YEARS EXPERIENCED SERIES OF CHALLENGES IN THEIR BUSINESSES MAJORLY BROUGHT ABOUT BY COVID, STIFF COMPETITION FROM ONLINE CHANNELS, AND REDUCED BUDGET SPENDING ON PRINT SERVICES BY PRINT BUYERS; HOW HAS GHANA PRINTERS FAIRED AND WHAT DID YOUR ASSOCIATION DO TO CUSHION THE EFFECTS ON YOUR MEMBERS?
Indeed, the Ghanian Printers have suffered in all the three activities or conditions you are asking about; stiff competition, internet challenges or effects, and reduced budget. For us to be able to really understand and face these issues we need to try and understand what and how they came about to be able to properly plan against them. These have been very challenging period for Printers the world over and Ghana in particular. However, it is interesting to note that anytime there are challenges, there would also be opportunities that could ameliorate them. It is up to us to define the problems, look at alternative ways that would take us out of these challenges.
Since the advent of the movement to digital age, printing has faced series of challenges – making a number of things that were being printed on papers to reduced tremendously. We have moved from known traditional printing system into digital and storage retrieval medium. Printing products have been diminishing gradually, however, it also offers the Printers the opportunity to look objectively at how to position ourselves to benefit from this transition.
The whole world is going through transitions and it is incumbent on us as an industry to begin to look at disruptive innovations and to be really entrepreneurial, in order to be able to face this new drift. This is because – one; Government is cutting down on so many expenses – therefore we must not depend only on the ‘Give me, Give me Policy’. You will hardly survive on that. At times like this, we should be able to give to the State our contribution that will help the country’s growth.
On the other hand, there is also the need for us to collaborate with policymakers to look objectively at what the industry can do so that Government doesn’t lose revenue and we also are not squeezed out of business. We Printers and Converters need to be entrepreneurial; we need to be open-minded about practical and result-oriented collaboration between the industry and Government.
It is not business as usual. A number of press houses are shutting down; a few had already called it quit. However, we still see those who position themselves properly or look at the challenges objectively and plan to be able to reduce the stress and burden and look forward with some form of hope because of the ability to adapt to change to meet the demands of the time.
We have to examine our options and plan towards what is best for the Printers. In the area of policy, we will continue to dialogue with policymakers to see eye-to-eye with understanding of the needs of our sector for policy direction that will benefit the Printers and the nation as a whole.
ARE THERE SUPPORT FROM GOVERNMENT IN TERMS OF TAX RELIEFS, SUBVENTIONS ETC?
Act 1087 of the Value Added Tax (Amended) No.2 Act, 2022 has been as a result of several years of negotiation and presentations to Government. Government has now deemed it fit to make the local industry a bit more competitive by enacting the policy. Beside the tax issues, the Government of Ghana is implementing a policy that is extremely helpful to the local industry where print purchases are sourced locally. That is a quick way forward for our industry. Now, all Government textbooks are printed in this country – this policy has been tremendously helpful to our industry and has made the industry to at least survive.
ASIDE THE MENTIONED, WHAT OTHER SUPPORTS/ BENEFITS DO YOUR MEMBERS GET FROM YOUR ASSOCIATION?
Professional articles and videos during exposures are made available to members both online and through teaching. We periodically organise seminars, trainings and workshops for those who wish to learn and benefit from current trends. We also share ideas and solutions to problems in our businesses by asking critical questions. Finally, through advocacies and interactions with Government and policy makers, a lot of local Printers are now benefitting from Act 1087 of the Value Added Tax (Amended) No.2 Act, 2022 that provides amongst others the removal of tax exemption for imported newspapers and other printed matter. This means that all Government textbooks are printed in this country.
HOW ARE YOU DEALING WITH HIGH COST OF PRINT CONSUMABLES AND PAPERS?
Indeed, high cost of print consumables and paper has been a pain in the neck for the industry. However, during the period – we managed to get various interventions from Government. First, we benchmark values that cushioned the effects on the industry via more tax reduction and also making it a little more competitive in getting better prices for manufacturers. The policy has been changed because of the change in economic environment but more options are being looked at and consultations will continue to be held for more sustainable and beneficial arrangements for our industry.
DO YOU HAVE ANY ARRANGEMENT WITH PRINT CONSUMABLES SUPPLIERS TO CUSHION THE EFFECT OF HIGH PRICES FOR YOUR MEMBERS?
Yes, we are in contact with all the mainstream suppliers to give a number of days credit to their clients and they are quite liberal in dealing with them within the economic constraint which we operate. This is an ongoing process and we believe the most desirable outcome will be achieved for all stakeholders.
PROPAK IS COMING TO GHANA; IS THERE A COLLABORATION WITH THE ORGANISERS AND WHAT BENEFIT DO YOU THINK YOUR MEMBERS WILL DERIVE FROM ATTENDING?
PROPAK coming to Ghana is a big boost to the industry and huge avenue of exposure on the products of the Ghanaian Printers and packaging manufacturers. Government policy on industrialisation and local manufacturing have positioned the Printers to look at carving a niche for themselves working with their counterparts in the packaging industry. Indeed, in the area of printing – as far as we know – the areas that are growing fastest in the country are packaging, labelling, and box making – so, if there is an avenue – a fair that has international dimension – it is most welcome opportunity and endeavour and the Ghana Printers and Paper Converters Association is collaborating with PROPAK Ghana on this to make it a success and (we) have circulated documents and leaflets widely. The awareness is telling them that it’s a big opportunity so we expect the industry to take advantage of PROPAK and also expect that print consumers will also find it as a good platform to shop and acquaint themselves with what the industry has to offer both in terms of enterprising, improve quality and wide range of production capacity and expertise. So, we believe it is going to be a huge thing in the country and we welcome PROPAK so seriously. It couldn’t have come at a better time than this even though this is a period that some people who would have wish to participate could not because of the economic crunch. However, I will enjoin that if they are truly looking at options on how to surmount some of the challenges that they face, they should participate at PROPAK Ghana to showcase what they have.
Finally, there have been a number of activities held to promote PROPAK Ghana. Accra has been selected as the UNESCO World Book Capital for this Year 2023 – so, this whole year is going to be with activities on Book and Print Production. Therefore, we should be most expectant of the outcome of PROPAK. The zeal and interest of all the stakeholders, and indeed the entire print fraternity is fever high and we believe it will live up to expectation.
WHAT ARE YOUR EXPECTATIONS FROM PROPAK GHANA 2023?
I am expecting this year’s PROPAK Ghana to sort of bring exposure to the industry – real marketing tsunami and exposure to both the print producers and the print buyers. With all the people and the organisations that are coming, the program and seminar and other activities that are going to be held on the sidelines – I expect this first edition of PROPAK Ghana to be a huge success. I also expect PROPAK Ghana to be beneficial to everyone; first to the economy of Printers and the economy of Ghana as a whole. We really expect PROPAK Ghana to make a positive impact on our industry and the people who happen to be in the print ecosystem. It is one of the most welcomed activities that we have dreamt off and seem to seeing it come to fruition.
THANK YOU FOR YOUR TIME.
