2006年VOA标准英语-Ghana's Football Success Having Economic Impact

By Efam Dovi
Accra
26 June 2006

As Ghana's Black Stars football team progresses into the next round of the World Cup, Ghanaians are not only celebrating the performance of the only African team remaining in the tournament, businesses in Ghana are also looking forward to meeting their annual targets. Efam Dovi in Accra reports for VOA on how business is booming for one of Ghana's oldest newspaper publishers, the Graphic¹ Communication Group.

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Ghanaian midfielder Eric Addo (R) is challenged by US midfielder Clint Dempsey (L)  
  
The web offset² machines at the Graphic Communication Group get up to speed, as workers of the printing department get ready to produce Tuesday's edition of the Graphic Sports.

The twice weekly paper is one of the state-owned media company's five titles. Originally 12 pages, it has increased to 24 pages since the World Cup tournament started, and circulation has doubled, according to company spokesman Albert Sam.

"And it is taking a lot of advert³ [advertisements] now, of course, color adverts," he said. "In the past, we were finding it difficult in getting people to even advertise in the Graphic Sports. But with this competition, we are making some headway."

It is not only the sports paper that is raking in good revenue for the company. Advertising⁴ in its flagship publication, the Daily Graphic, published since 1950, has also gone up by 40 percent, forcing the company to add eight more pages to the paper.

Sam is hoping for more business as the Black Stars of Ghana play Brazil Tuesday, in the world competition's Round of 16.

"We are making some significant gains, so far, as this competition is concerned. We know that," he said. "Even if the Black Stars, which we are sure are able to qualify for the quarterfinals at the expense of Brazil, then we are going to make inroads in the business."

The Graphic Communication Group is one of the few profitable state-owned institutions in Ghana, and Sam is confident of a prosperous year for the company.

"I think we will definitely meet our targets, and it will mean more revenue for the company, more expansion and then it will also mean that service will improve, conditions of service for employees will also be better," Sam said.

Some advertising agencies say they have being receiving phone calls from their clients asking for an increase in the placement of their products in the media, since the Black Stars qualified⁵ for the second round of the World Cup.

Communication and beverage⁶ companies are said to be topping the list of advertisers.
 
 

1 graphic   

adj.生动的，形象的，绘画的，文字的，图表的

参考例句：

• The book gave a graphic description of the war.这本书生动地描述了战争的情况。
• Distinguish important text items in lists with graphic icons.用图标来区分重要的文本项。

2 offset   

n.分支，补偿；v.抵消，补偿

参考例句：

• Their wage increases would be offset by higher prices.他们增加的工资会被物价上涨所抵消。
• He put up his prices to offset the increased cost of materials.他提高了售价以补偿材料成本的增加。

3 advert   

vi.注意，留意，言及；n.广告

参考例句：

• The advert featured a dolphin swimming around a goldfish bowl.该广告的內容为一条在金鱼缸里游动的海豚。
• Please advert to the contents below.I believe you won't be disappointed.敬请留意后面的内容。相信您一定不会失望的。

4 advertising   

n.广告业；广告活动 a.广告的；广告业务的

参考例句：

• Can you give me any advice on getting into advertising? 你能指点我如何涉足广告业吗?
• The advertising campaign is aimed primarily at young people. 这个广告宣传运动主要是针对年轻人的。

5 qualified   

adj.合格的，有资格的，胜任的，有限制的

参考例句：

• He is qualified as a complete man of letters.他有资格当真正的文学家。
• We must note that we still lack qualified specialists.我们必须看到我们还缺乏有资质的专家。

6 beverage   

n.(水，酒等之外的)饮料

参考例句：

• The beverage is often colored with caramel.这种饮料常用焦糖染色。
• Beer is a beverage of the remotest time.啤酒是一种最古老的饮料。