GBC snubbed Independent Presidential Candidate

Ghana Broadcasting Corporation (GBC) has refused the inclusion of Independent Presidential Candidate Kwesi Amoafo-Yeboah in its planned programme for activities.

At a meeting to deliberate on GBC's programme line up with all representatives of political groupings, a representative of the Independent Presidential Candidate, Rowland Kofi Armah was denied participation and told to only observe proceedings.

The objective of the programme as put up by GBC's Political Broadcast Monitoring and Complaints Committee is to inform the electorate on the policies and views of the political parties and presidential candidates contesting in election 2008 and also give the electorate an opportunity to listen, discuss and better understand the policies and agenda of the various political parties.

In an earlier interaction with Kwesi Amoafo-Yeboah when he paid a working visit to GBC, the Director of Radio Yaw Owusu Addo assured him of equal and fair access to all political programmes that GBC hoped to undertake with respect to this year's elections.

"We will offer equal opportunity and fair access to all political opinions in our planned programme. You can therefore send a representative to take part of the deliberations as an independent presidential candidate", stated Yaw Owusu Addo, Director of Radio at GBC.

Kwesi Amoafo-Yeboah disclosed to GBC that a letter received from the Electoral Commission indicated that no persons either representing a political party or acting independently are accorded any privileges as a Presidential candidate until nominations are opened to all persons wishing to contest the 2008 Presidential Elections.

It therefore technically implies that EC does not regard any person as Presidential Candidate until the opportunity is granted to all those who wish to offer themselves for the office had gone through the process of filing the necessary papers with the Commission.

Prior to the visit, an official from the State broadcaster, GBC called to find out from the office of Kwesi Amoafo-Yeboah whether he had already been acknowledged by the EC before any arrangement could be made for coverage with respect to the working visit.

The visit though successful was not shown on the GBC's network already setting the pace for unfairness.

posted by: Campaign Spokesperson for Kwesi Amoafo-Yeboah

Frank Agyemang