{
  "id": 18466078,
  "title": "GPCL MD defends record, challenges predecessor over GH¢22m VAT debt",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/11/06/gpcl-md-defends-record-challenges-predecessor-over-gh-22m-vat-debt",
  "topic": "world",
  "section": "World",
  "published": "2026-11-06T07:47:49.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "MyJoyOnline Ghana",
    "slug": "myjoyonline-ghana",
    "url": "https://www.myjoyonline.com/gpcl-md-defends-record-challenges-predecessor-over-gh%c2%a222m-vat-debt/"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "The Managing Director of Ghana Publishing Company Limited (GPCL) defended his administration's record, challenging his predecessor, David Asante Boateng, over GH¢22 million in outstanding Value Added Tax (VAT) liabilities and the financial state of the company when he left office. This exchange occurred during GPCL's appearance at the Government Accountability Series on November 2, 2026, where the current MD highlighted the company's achievements and challenges. In a statement on November 5, 2026, the current MD responded to Boateng's comments on Facebook, in which he suggested that the MD was taking credit for accomplishments made during his predecessor's tenure. The MD emphasized that his administration had achieved significant improvements over the past 18 months, including a profit after tax of GH¢16.9 million in 2025, up from GH¢2.4 million in 2024. He outlined ten interventions undertaken under his leadership, such as implementing a three-shift operational system, establishing a digital press centre, and investing in production-line retooling. However, the MD also brought attention to the major financial challenge of the approximately GH¢22 million in outstanding VAT liabilities owed to the Ghana Revenue Authority (GRA) from 2020 to 2024. He challenged Boateng to clarify if GPCL was responsible for these liabilities and if VAT payments were not made during the specified period. The MD questioned the financial position of the company when Boateng left office in February 2025, querying whether the bank balance was around GH¢400,000 and if salary payments were being facilitated through a bank overdraft. The MD's response aimed to provide the public with a clear understanding of GPCL's performance and financial situation, without engaging in personal attacks.",
  "summary": "The Managing Director of the Ghana Publishing Company Limited (GPCL) has defended his administration’s record, challenging his predecessor, David Asante Boateng, to account for about GH¢22 million in outstanding Value Added Tax (VAT) liabilities and the company's financial position at the time he left office. The exchange follows the current MD's appearance at the Government Accountability Series…",
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 1,
    "also_reported_by": []
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}