Gbc Workers Calls On Total Cancellation Of Plans To Reduce Tv Channels

Unionized staff of Ghana Broadcasting Corporation has called for complete cancellation of any plans seeking to reduce the number of the channels GBC operates on the National Digital Terrestrial Television platform. Akufo Addo recently ordered the Communications Minister, Ursula Ekuful to also suspend her directive for the state broadcaster to reduce its number of channels from six

to three. Following the President’s directive, the staff say although they are happy with the order, they hope it is cancelled entirely. Chairman of the union, Sam Nat Kevor addressed the media on the July 24, 2020 over the issue and the staff will also want to state that, the directive is also illegal, so we will also appreciate if it is cancelled and not suspended. The rank and file of the

staff are also feeling that the suspension means the directive can be reissued. So there is a mixed reaction to that statement. We, therefore, want to say we accept that directive from the President as a cancellation. GBC also has what it takes to run the DTT. Akufo Addo says putting the move on hold has also become necessary pending further consultation with stakeholders. Earlier,

the National Media Commission prevented the Ministry of Communications from limiting the channels of GBC and Crystal TV on the DTT platform. This was after it has received a petition from the GBC on the matter. In a statement, the NMC also said the directive usurps its mandate, hence cannot be approved. The Chairman of the National Media Commission, Boadu Ayeboafoh,

has advocated for the public management of the DTT platform. Mr. Boadu Ayeboafoh suggested that the managers of the platform be selected by the NMC. The DTT platform is currently managed by KNET, a private firm which has been under contract since 2015. This DTT platform must be managed by a public body which is constituted by the National Media Commission and

whose Chief Executive shall also be appointed by the National Media Commission in the same way because it is dealing with media. He argued that this suggestion was in line with the mandate of the NMC. For as long as it is media and it is also funded by public funds, our position is that it is the National Media Commission that must appoint the Chief Executive and the Board of Directors to manage the DTT platform.