The Managing Director (MD) of the New Times Corporation (NTC), Mr Martin Adu Owusu, is set to proceed on early retirement on health grounds after nearly three decades of dedicated service to the organisation.
According to the Board Chairman of the Corporation, Professor Kwamena Kwansah-Aidoo, Mr Owusu has formally written to the appointing authority, the National Media Commission (NMC), requesting to take his accumulated annual leave, after which he will proceed on retirement.
He said the Board, after extensive deliberations, accepted the request, citing the importance of safeguarding his health.
Professor Kwansah-Aidoo disclosed this yesterday during a staff durbar at the Corporation’s head office in Accra, where he formally announced the development and outlined transitional measures to ensure continuity at NTC.
He explained that Mr Owusu will begin his leave from Thursday, September 11 after which his retirement will take full effect.
To ensure stability during the transition, the Board has set up an Interim Management Committee (IMC) made up of three senior management members of the Corporation and two Board representatives.
The IMC will be chaired by a Board member with extensive industry experience, Mr Kwesi Adjei Kersi, and supported by Dr Charity Binka, also a board member and a Human Rights Specialist.
Representing management on the Committee are the Editor of The Ghanaian Times, Alhaji Abdul-Rahaman, Editor of The Spectator, Mrs Georgina Naa Maku Quaittoo, together with the Human Resource and Administrative Manager, Mrs Agnes Nketia.
Their mandate is to oversee the day-to-day running of the Corporation until the NMC appoints a substantive Managing Director.
Professor Kwansah-Aidoo commended Mr Owusu for his 29 years of service, describing his contribution as invaluable to the growth of the Corporation.
He assured staff that although Mr Owusu would no longer be directly involved in management, the Board would continue to draw on his wealth of institutional knowledge and expertise when needed.
He further urged staff and unions within the Corporation to give their full support to the IMC during the transitional phase, stressing that the progress of NTC ultimately depended on collective commitment and cooperation.
Mr Martin Adu-Owusu, in an emotional farewell to staff, urged them to remain committed to sustaining the Corporation in spite of its current challenges.
He reflected on his journey with the Corporation, stressing that his decision to step aside was part of the natural course of life. “There is time for everything. The time I came to New Times Corporation over 29 years ago had to come, and the time to go has also come,” he said.
He assured staff that although his physical presence would no longer be seen in the day-to-day running of the organisation, he remained part of the NTC family.
Mr Adu-Owusu also took the opportunity to apologise for any form of misunderstandings during his tenure, adding that it was all in the interest of the Corporation.
BY STEPHANIE BIRIKORANG
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