The Ghanaian Chronicle in its front page story, “Game of death at GBC” says, “behind the hysteria of media dressing, statements of rebuttals and public relations gimmicks by the management of Ghana Broadcasting Corporation is a gruesome game of death between two mafia gangs bent on outdoing each other so as to gain control over the nation’s premier media organization.
Insiders call the first faction, “Northern Caucus while the other has been dubbed Ga Mafia.
The northern caucus, which is made up of a powerful triumvirate, comprises Dr. Iddrisu Egala, the current acting chairman of the GBC Board, Mr. Alhassan Haruna, Director of Finance, and one Dr. Imoro, the former acting director of engineering.
The Ga Mafia, which is also firmly rooted within the top hierarchy, is led by Seth Agoe Adjetey, Director-General (DG), followed by T.A. Nee-Okpey, acting Director of Administration, A. Torto Laryea, Director of Corporate Affairs, J.A. Larkai, Alice Portuphy-Lamptey and Wallace Bampoe-Addo, the acting Director of Television.”
According to the Chronicle, the two administrations are operating as power blocs within the corporation.
The paper alleged that the so-called Northern Caucus is teleguided by former communications minister, John Mahama (MP), whiles the Gas derive their authority first from Professor John Evans Atta Mills, former vice-president who was highly instrumental in the appointment of the DG, and other unseen centers in the bosom of the umbrella.
“If both power blocs are working within the ideology and shadow of the NDC, one may ask, why all the fuss then? Interesting, isn’t it? Power.
A fiendish power struggle that could end up devouring the entrails of the entire media condominium. By some strange coincidence, when Rev. George Lomotey died, the position quickly fell to a Ga, Miss Portuphy-Lamptey, who was by far a junior officer. When the position of director of administration became vacant following the retirement of Mr. Sosu, Nii Okpey has been acting for the past two years without any effort to find a full-time replacement.”
Recently, the director of TV retired and there is a general perception that the Ga mafia hegemony may want to “permanently” retain the present acting director. Although the corporation has advertised the position, people still take it for a hoax.
“The two administrative factions are functioning behind drawn battle lines that may be imperceptible and incomprehensible to the ordinary eye and mind.”
For example, a Director of Engineering, E.B.O. Mills, although a Ga, was sacked before he could serve his probation. It looks harmless until it is revealed that Dr. Imoro who acted in that capacity for three years without confirmation has the position at heart. This is not the first act of coalition between the two super powers, a radio transmitter that mysteriously got mixed with imported machines from Britain has more question marks than what anybody can answer.
“Deep GBC sources say that the corporation, about two years or so ago, imported some equipment from the UK. When it arrived a radio transmitter belonging to a private person was found among the things. The unknown person went to collect it and it ended at the Bureau of National Investigations (BNI).
The transmitter for which no duty was said to have been paid, finally ended somewhere in the northern region. The mafia who should have acquiesced for the machine to be delivered smoothly rather sabotaged, making the other faction angry.”
Since then, a shadow war has been raging between the two gangs, no wonder Odartey Mills got missing in action before he could serve his probation.
“From the way and manner events are unfolding and the strange happenings it is clear the director general is definitely not in control of affairs. He does not command the respect of the workers, a top employee told this writer.”
In the past two weeks the management of GBC has been falling over themselves trying to portray to the public that all was well at the corporation. This is a blatant lie calculated to bamboozle and deceive an uninformed public.”
