My tribute to Rawlings

Pictures by Edmund Smith-Asante. All Rights Reserved (C)

When Thursday, November 12, 2020 dawned on us no one knew it was going to bring the whole of Ghana, Africa and the entire global community some sad news.

The first President and first John of Ghana's Fourth Republic, Flt Lt (retd) Jerry John Rawlings was larger than life itself and so no one expected a man still full of charisma, humour and a statesman to die just like that.

No wonder when news broke of the unsettling event many classified it as fake news and brushed it aside until the President and many media houses conformed it. 

With all the activities heralding the upcoming eighth general election since Ghana took to the democratic path in 1992, no one imagined death would lay its icy hands on the one who paved the way for Ghanaians to opt for the ballot box.

Well I had the chance to meet the late former President Rawlings when he joined the Jospong Group of Companies as a Special Guest during their annual end-of-year thanksgiving service in December 2018 at the headquarters of Zoomlion Ghana Limited (https://www.graphic.com.gh/news/politics/ghana-news-rawlings-asks-for-community-vigilantism-to-fight-insanitary-conditions.html).

Find below some images captured of him by Edmages while he spoke passionately about sanitation, using anecdotes most of the time that left the audience in stitches. May his soul rest in peace.

Graphic@70 Loyalty Promo on...4 cars for grabs

 Pictures by Edmund Smith-Asante. All Rights Reserved (C)

As part of activities marking the Graphic Communications Group Limited's (GCGL)70th anniversary a loyalty promo has been launched to afford readers the opportunity to win four KIA saloon cars provided by Rana Motors.

Staff of GCGL on Friday, October 30, 2020 wore their branded promo 'T' shirts to publicise the promo. Edmages was able to capture some images and shares them here.

#loyaltypromo #Graphic@70 #graphic #gcgl

Graphic@70...All the exclusives

By Edmund Smith-Asante. All Rights Reserved (C)

The Graphic Communications Group Limited (GCGL) in commemoration of its 70th anniversary held several programmes. 

Posted below are some of the exclusive portraits captured by Edmages' lenses of some staff of GCGL.

#Graphic@70 #gcgl #truthandaccuracyeveryday

8th Ghana Garden and Flower Show opening held virtually

 Pictures by Edmund Smith-Asante. All Rights Reserved (C)

Imagine if the whole world were a big garden with flowers of all colours, leaves of all shapes and trees of all sizes and girth adorning it with streams and rivers running across.

That would not only be refreshing but it will make us want to live forever just beholding nature's beauty.

The 8th Ghana Garden and Flower Show opened today, November 4 on the theme "Live the Change" and will hold till November 8, but its opening had to be done virtually due to the presence of COVID-19.

The virtual opening done by former Electoral Commission Chair and currently the United Nations International Elections Commissioner, Mrs Charlotte Osei, however, took nothing from the event because it was held in a garden where nature's beauty and presence could be felt so strongly.

Joining in the event via zoom were a representative of Stanbic Bank, a sponsor of the show, people from Nigeria and Kenya, as well as the Netherlands Ambassador to Ghana, Mr Ron Strikker. Gracing the occasion were the Israeli Ambassador to Ghana, Ms Shani Cooper and the Dean of the School of Agriculture, University of Ghana, Legon, Professor Daniel Bruce Sarpong. There were also representatives from ABSA Bank, also a sponsor.

Birthed by Ms Esther Cobbah and her Stratcomm Africa organisation and given the fillip by the Ghana Garden and Flower Movement which has the show as its flagship activity each year, the event has been supported over the years by many organisations. 

They believe trees and flowers give humans the oxygen to live (and rightly so) and so every effort must be made to protect flora.

Well, it was my first time at the annual event, but I found myself at home because I love nature. Find below some of the images captured by Edmages.

Graphic@70 climaxed with Ball

Pictures by Edmund Smith-Asante. All Rights Reserved (C)

Last Saturday, October 24, 2020 the Graphic Communications Group Limited (GCGL) climaxed its year-long 70th anniversary celebration with a Ball, which was graced by the President of the Republic of Ghana, Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo, some ministers of state as well as stakeholders, former and retired staff of GCGL who had contributed to the success of the company over the years.

Past editors and journalists who have won the prestigious Journalist of the Year awards for the company were all awarded on the night. It was a night of glitz and glamour as all attendees came dressed to the hilt in their ball gowns and dresses, suits, tuxedos and traditional attires.

Well, Edmages was around to bring you some of the sparkling images from the red carpet and actual event.

#Graphic@70 #gcgl #graphic #truthandaccuracyeveryday

Mavis Kitcher retires after 37 years with GCGL

Pictures by Edmund Smith-Asante. All Rights Reserved ©

Last Monday, the Director, News of Graphic Communications Group Limited (GCGL), Mrs Mavis Kitcher, was bid an emotional farewell to start her mandatory pension after attaining age 60 and offering 37 years of service to the GCGL.

She was for most part of her service (18 years and six months) the Editor of the Junior Graphic which was established in the year 2000.

The farewell was attended by younger sister, the Minister of Tourism, Mrs Barbara Oteng-Gyasi, executives of the Ghana Journalists Association including the President Mr Affail Monney, the General Manager, Ghana News Agency, Mrs Beatrice Asamani Savage and the Director-General, Welfare of the Ghana Police Service, Commissioner of Police (COP) Maame Yaa Tiwaa Addo-Danquah.

As usual the roving lens of Edmages was on hand to capture some of the scenes. 

GCGL marks 70 years with a float

Pictures by Edmund Smith-Asante. All Rights Reserved ©

Last Friday, October 2, 2020, marked exactly 70 years when the first newspaper from the Graphic Communications Group (GCGL) stable - the Daily Graphic, hit the newsstands.

To commemorate that epoch event, the GCGL in the morning went on a float through some principal streets of Accra distributing complementary copies of the Daily Graphic and nose masks to the public.

A loyalty promotion to reward readers was also announced during the float. Readers of any of the brands in the GCGL stable stand the chance to win one of four KIA saloon cars at stake as well as other prizes.

In the evening staff dressed up in their white or red Graphic@70 lacoste treated themselves to a music-laden cocktail and cut the anniversary cake. It was a day of fun and excitement pervaded the air at the GCGL's headquarters as well as regional offices.

Well Edmages could not help but capture some scenes from the float and some portraits of staff which it shares here. Enjoy!