GBC Saga: Board Hasn’t Shown Competence – MFWA

The Executive Director of the Media Foundation for West Africa (MFWA) Sulemana Braimah has criticized the governing board of the Ghana Broadcasting Corporation over the TV license saga that has resulted in the ‘proceed on leave’ directive given to the director general.

The board of the GBC, according to highly placed sources, directed Dr. Anoff-Ntow  to proceed on leave Monday January 15.

The directive, the source explained was because of the Corporation’s unpopular resolve to prosecute people who will default in the payment of the mandatory Television license fee.

The TV licensing Act 1966 (NLCD 89) of Ghana mandates the collection of license fees from persons or households owning TV sets. The collection of the fee was reintroduced in 2015.

In an earlier statement, the board called for the immediate suspension of the license collection by the state broadcaster.

Speaking to Francis Abban on the development Tuesday, Mr. Braimah said the board of the GBC has not shown leadership in the issue.

“I don’t think the board has demonstrated competence in these GBC Issue. As of the time the board took over, this TV license law was in place, what did the board do about it if they thought it will make the government unpopular, did they take any decision on it?

“I can’t say I have confidence in the board or that they have demonstrated competence in these affairs,” he said.

He also wondered if the board had the power to ask the director genera to proceed on leave when he is appointed in concert with the National Media Commission.

Source: StarrFMonline