The Ghana Broadcasting Corporation (GBC) is to lay off 1,000 of its workers, representing half of its current workforce of 2,000. GBC is among a list of subvented agencies, which have been earmarked for reform and restructuring. Government in collaboration with the World Bank is undertaking a comprehensive Public Sector reform programme to develop and implement appropriate capacities in Ghana’s Public Service with the aim of achieving sustainable improvements in good governance, accelerated growth, equitable social development and enhanced public-private sector strategic partnership.
The exercise at GBC will cost the government US$24.4 million. Out of the amount, retrenched staff will receive $4.4 million. A further $3 million will go into training programmes for retained staff whilst $16.6 million will be spent on equipment and modernization programme. The exercise, which was to be commenced this year, has been postponed to January 2003 due to unforeseen circumstances.
It is aimed at rightsizing the public sector, currently employing over 400,000 staff, reputed to be the second largest in Africa. National Coordinator of the National Institutional Renewal Programme, Dr Appiah Koranteng told the ‘Business and Financial Times’ that funding for the exercise has been discussed and agreed upon with the World Bank.
He said GBC like other state subvented institutions is characterized by overstaffing and lack of requisite institutional capacity to deliver efficient services. It also has weak internal financial controls. After the reforms, GBC will be empowered with the necessary legal powers to review periodically its TV License fees, which has been stagnant for some time. Public broadcasting will be separated from commercial ones and the later is expected to operate on purely commercial basis for profits.
On the general restructuring of the Public Sector, Dr Koranteng said so far, seven institutions namely GIMPA, Institute of Chartered Accountants, Confiscated Assets Committee, Ghana Science Association, the National Revenue Secretariat, International Students Hostel and the Armed Forces Control Board have been restructured to run on commercial lines.
They are no longer on government subvention, while 45 others are at various stages. Out of the total public service staff of 400,000, Ghana Education Service employs the largest with over 200,000 staff while the Civil Service employs more than 80,000 workers.
