The Ghana Publishing Company Limited (GPCL) is advocating for government intervention in the form of tax waivers on paper imports to reduce operational costs and make locally produced books more competitive.
Managing Director Nana Kwasi Boatey Esq. disclosed this during an interview on Focus on ABC, stating that heavy import duties on paper have made local printing expensive.
“Paper cost is one of the biggest challenges we have. Taxes placed on imported paper make it difficult for us to compete, yet books themselves are tax-free when printed,” he explained.
He emphasized that due to these high costs, many clients prefer to print outside Ghana, depriving local companies of business.
“This is why we need to engage the government to see if we can get some waivers on the tax regime. If digitization will take away these challenges, then why not?” he said.
He revealed that GPCL is exploring alternative solutions, including investing in digital platforms that will allow books to be published and sold online, reducing the need for excessive paper use.
To further cut costs and boost efficiency, the company is set to implement a shift system to maximize production hours.
“Our rosters are ready, and everything is in place. We believe running a two-shift system will allow us to meet demand without increasing overhead costs,” he noted.
He assured that while the company is open to government incentives, it is working on strategies to sustain itself without relying on state funds.
“We have the potential to be a subregional giant, but we need capital injection. If we get the right partners willing to invest, we can assure them we will make them proud,” he concluded.
