Hot Race For Graphic MD

The race for the vacant position of Managing Director (MD) of the Graphic Communications Group, publishers of Daily Graphic and its affiliate newspapers, has become excitingly interesting, with various individuals, some of whom have strong political connections, jockeying for the position. The position became vacant following the exit of Mohammed Awal, who was compelled by prevailing circumstances to resign to pursue other interests. Since his exit in the latter part of 2010, Kwasi Adjei Kersi has been acting as the MD of the company. Credible information reaching DAILY GUIDE indicates that 14 people applied for the lucrative position at the close of application, of which about eight people were shortlisted for the job. Among the shortlisted individuals are Dr Frankie Asare-Donkoh, an associate political lecturer at the Cardiff University, Gayheart Edem Mensah, Communications Manager of Tullow Oil, and the acting MD himself, Kwasi Kersi. The rest include Yaw Boadu-Ayeboafo, former Editor of Daily Graphic and current General Manager in-Charge of Newspapers at the Graphic Group, Kenneth Ashigbey, Chief Operating Officer of Multi TV, one Odartey Mills, the founding Editor of Graphic Business newspaper, Bernard Otabil and a banker.Information gathered by Daily Guide indicates that a former Deputy Speaker of Parliament, Ken Dzirasah, applied for the job but could not make the short-list because of his age. Though the National Media Commission (NMC) is the institution mandated to appoint the MD of state media establishments, of which Daily Graphic is no exception, sources say government is lobbying it representatives on the NMC to influence the appointment by giving to its preferred candidate. It is however not too clear who would eventually get the nod to head the company, considering the quality of individuals lined up for the job. The NMC will be supported by the Public Services Commission to conduct the interview anytime soon. The appointment of Graphic MD was delayed because of the re-advertisement of the position, after the initial advertisement was said to have narrowed qualifications to people with communication background, excluding even the acting MD from applying. But after the re-advertisement, only two more people applied, pushing the number of applicants to 14, Daily Guide has learnt.