Loser of election petition must pay for live telecast – Yamin

Deputy Sports Minister, Joseph Yamin is proposing the 'loser' of the ongoing Presidential Election Petition before the Supreme Court should bear the cost of the live telecast of the case by state broadcaster, Ghana Television (GTV).

According to him, the state cannot foot the bill incurred as a result of the parochial interest of some dissatisfied individuals who want to rule the country at all cost.


Joseph Yamin’s proposal comes after the state broadcaster revealed that it loses about GHc100,000 daily because it has suspended regular programming on the network.


The Director General of GBC, Major Albert Don-Chebe, confirmed that the Corporation had incurred huge losses due to the live telecast of the Election Petition hearing.


NPP presidential candidate in the 2012 elections Nana Akufo-Addo, his running mate, Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia and party Chairman, Jake Obetsebi-Lamptey are challenging the legitimacy of President John Mahama in court.


The Petitioners claim the elections were marred with massive irregularities and are praying the court to overturn the verdict of the Electoral Commission (EC) in their favour.

However, Joseph Yamin on Asempa FM’s Ekosii Sen programme Wednesday said the Petitioners case cannot stand the test of time.


According to him, irregularities in elections are not peculiar to Ghana alone "it happens in every election even in America".


The Deputy Sports Minister stated unequivocally that the Election Petition is needless and a waste of the tax payers money, therefore, the party which will lose the case must be made to reimburse the State Broadcaster for the live telecast.


He indicated that GTV, which hitherto was making profit from its regular programming, is now incurring massive debt because of the court case.


Joseph Yamin hoped his proposition would be considered by the NPP before the final determination of the case.

On the contrary, NPP Member of Parliament for Asuogyaman, Kofi Osei-Ameyaw pooh poohed Yamin’s suggestions.


He said GTV as a state broadcaster is fulfilling its constitutional duty by telecasting the Election Petition live to Ghanaians.


The Asuogyaman MP commended the Chief Justice, Georgina Theodora Wood for the initiative in such a high profile case.


Kofi Osei-Ameyaw maintain that Ghana is peaceful thanks to the live telecast of the court proceedings.