PROJECTS ABROAD SUPPORTS CENTRAL PRESS

By Frances Black

Monday 18^th April marked the donation of a brand new computer with top-of-the-range software from Projects Abroad to Central Press Newspaper.

The donation occurred after Projects Abroad learnt that Central Press did not have satisfactory graphics software, or a computer that could use such a programme, for the creation and editing of their newspapers. A short ceremony was held at the Central Press office, which was attended by Tom Davis, the country director of Projects Abroad in Ghana, Anthony Egyir Aikins, the Mayor of Cape Coast, Joseph Opoku Adjei, credit analyst of UT Bank, Ebo Sackey, the regional chairman of Ghana Journalist Association, the manager of the Hampton Printing Press and Victor Savage, as well as some others.

Most of the guests present gave short speeches concerning their involvement with Central Press Newspaper and Projects Abroad, and how they hoped that Central Press would grow, develop and expand in the future. Sackey emphasised the importance of bringing more written news to the people of Ghana, stating that reading newspaper was declining, but that ‘putting thoughts on paper is very important’. He also highlighted the importance of engaging young people to read, and used the Central Press Newspaper as an example of a medium to achieve this.

The Mayor also pledged his support to CPN, saying that he was ‘going to go a long way to support Central Press’. Victor Savage, a board member of CPN stated that he was ‘overwhelmed’ by the support from UT Bank and Projects Abroad, and praised the non-political and unbiased stance of the newspaper.

Projects Abroad have been long-time supporters and sponsors of Central Press Newspaper since it began in January 2010, and the new computer is just one donation among many, along with new desks and chairs. Those at Projects Abroad are now also locating a permanent office for the newspaper, which has published a total of 15 editions. Central Press Newspaper has so far received 12 volunteers from Projects Abroad, from countries as diverse as England, France, Holland, Germany and Australia, and the editor Kwamina Bamfo expressed his sincere gratitude towards Projects Abroad’s contribution and help, without which he said he could not run his newspaper.

Tom Davis gave those in attendance a brief summary of Projects Abroad’s history in Ghana so far, explaining that it is 13 years since they first started. Accra was the first destination made available for volunteers, and Cape Coast the second, allowing for further expansion into different areas and regions in Ghana.

We at Central Press Newspaper would like to thank Projects Abroad for this generous donation, and everyone who supports the newspaper.