GNA Boss unpaid for 12 months

Accra, June 24 GNA- Dr Bonnah Koomson, Board Chairman of the Ghana News Agency (GNA), on Wednesday, expressed concern that Nana Apau Duah, General Manager of the agency, has not been paid his monthly salary for about a year, as a result of problems with the National Media Commission.

He said although the board had received assurance from the Accountant Generals Department and the Auditor- General to resolve the stalemate, there was the need to fast track the payment to ensure industrial harmony.

Dr Koomson made the remark when some members of the Parliamentary Select Committee on Communication (PSCC) visited the GNA Head office in Accra, to learn at first hand problems and challenges facing the agency.

The PSCC have oversight responsibility for institutions and agencies under its ambit.

Dr Koomson called for the retooling of the agency in order to meet current trends in news gathering and reporting. He said times had changed and as such the Legislative Instrument that setup the agency should be changed to reflect current developments in the media landscape.

The PSCC delegation, which has Mr Twumasi Appiah (MP) for Sene as its Chairman, includes Mr Harod Cobbina, Vice Chairman, Mr Aquinas Quansah, Mr Ahmed Ibrahim, Mr Fritz Baffour, Mr Richard Adiyia Akuoko and Mr Anthony Evans Amoah.

Dr Koomson said the GNA would need the co-operation of the PSCC in its drive to reform some of its processes and operations to meet the aspirations of its end-users.

He said the agency should also be able to adopt the latest technology and add new production methods such as voice-overs, pictures and video footage to its work.

He said the Legislative Instrument that setup the agency should be modified to enable it to engage in profitable ventures. Mr Twumasi Appiah said the committee would work hard to ensure that the agency was well resourced to carry out its mandate. He said the committee would also welcome regular interactions with the management of the agency so that they could be in a better position to forward their plans to government. Mr Fritz Baffour, MP for Ablekumah urged government to find resources to replace the obsolete equipment at the agency to enhance quality delivery.

He said the staff should also be motivated to give off their best, adding that there was no way the personnel could provide excellent service when they were still receiving meagre salaries. "The GNA which used to be pioneer has now become the poor man in the media," he said.

Nana Apau Duah, appealed to the government to look at the poor salary structure of the agency, which he said had contributed to the low morale of staff and the loss of experience hands to other media houses.