GUIDELINES FOR FORMAL STAMP RELEASE FUNCTION

1. The Philatelic Department of Ghana Post does not organize any formal function for the release of Commemorative/Special postage stamps. The proponent of a particular stamp or stamp or individual organizations who moot such proposals and provide background material for design and information brochure etc. can, however, request the Department for permission to organize a function. This should, however, be done sufficiently in advance and such a proposed function accompanied by a draft minute-to-minute program of the proposed function and a draft invitation card so that the Department could adopt a uniform approach.

2. Any formal release function for a stamp should have an appropriate representative of the Philatelic Department of Ghana Post. The postage stamp, which is the legally valid receipt for postage paid, can be released by either the Minister for Communications and Digitalization. In case it is not convenient for either of them to release the stamp, the  Philatelic Department of Ghana Post, Member of the Postal Services Board, or the Chief Postmaster General concerned. Exceptions to this are made only when the President of Ghana, the Vice-President of Ghana, the Chief of Staff, and the Speaker, consent to the release of those postage stamp(s). On such occasions, the Minister of Communications can request the President/Vice-President/Chief of Staff to unveil the blow-up of the commemorative stamp and thereafter he presents the first Album to them for release.

3. The proposal for the formal release function must be mooted sufficiently in advance of the scheduled date of release of the stamp along with a draft minute-to-minute program of the proposed function, draft invitation cards & dais plan. This is necessary to enable the Department to ensure the desired uniformity/standard and protocol which is required to be maintained given the Department’s official involvement in such functions.

4. The level of the Department’s representation at a release function is decided to keep in view the level and status of the VIP who is to receive the first Album of the stamp to mark its formal release.

5. In addition to the Presentation Album, the Philatelic Department of Ghana Post also contributes towards such formal release function(s) by providing (a) a blow-up of the stamp for display at the venue of the release function and (b) deluxe albums for presentation to the principal dignitaries at the function, and (c) one hundred first day covers along with information brochures for distribution among the distinguished invitees present on the occasion.

6. Additional albums of stamps, first-day covers, etc. can be obtained by the organizers of the formal release function on payment, for which the exact requirement must be communicated to the Department or the concerned Chief Postmaster General well in advance of the scheduled date of release. Throughout the process of organizing the function, the concerned Chief Postmaster General would be informed & consulted.

7. It is also customary for the Department to provide a special stamp sale counter at the venue of the function, on demand.

8. It is the responsibility of the organizer to ensure that all the necessary arrangements for the function including printing and issuing of invitation cards, site preparation, security arrangements, liaison with the Press, etc. for publicity of the event. 

9. Since the stamp is simultaneously released in designated outlets across the country, no request for a change in the date of release would normally be entertained once it has been fixed.

10. No formal release function for a stamp can be held without specific prior approval from the Philatelic Department of Ghana Post. The Department does not take any responsibility for extending the usual support as indicated above, for the release function, unless approval for the function has been obtained in advance.

 Source: https://ghanapost.com.gh/otumfuostamp/

Date: 27-04-2024