Suspended GBC Director Cries Foul

The administrative system of the Ghana Broadcasting Corporation (GBC) seems indicted following alleged subtle moves by the management to unjustifiably remove the Ashanti Regional Director of the corporation in Kumasi. In October last year Ms. Rosina Amaning, the regional director was interdicted along with other officers on anonymous allegations. As a result, the Board of Directors instantly constituted a Committee of Enquiry headed by Mr. Yaw Owusu Addo, a Director of Radio, to investigate the allegation of impropriety.

Other members of the Committee were Miss Pearl Adotey (HOP-TV), and Mr. Yao Dziekpor (ADTV-News). The committee investigated an alleged abuse of office by the regional Director who was said to have presented her son as a GBC staff to secure a visa for him to go to the USA, among other charges.

The Owusu-Addo Committee also investigated an alleged irregularity in the purchase of two split air-conditioners at ?9.2 million in 1999 by the Northern sector PRO of the corporation, Mr. Mensah Nyarko. (Details later).

After six sittings in both Accra and Kumasi between October 29, 2002 and January 9, 2003, the Committee submitted a report on January 30, 2003 to the management having taken evidence from 22 witnesses, including Nana Aboagye Agyei II, Omanhene of Ejisu traditional Area, the father of Ms. Amaning's son cited in the alleged visa deal.

Having established that the allegations against the regional Director, particularly the visa deal, were mere rumours not borne out by facts on the ground, the Committee recommended that she should be recalled back to take up her post as nothing serious had been proven against her.

Similarly an audit report endorsed by the Regional Auditor, Mr. J. Sakyi-Badu had on December 10, 2002 showed that improper accounting of rent for GBC lands levelled against Ms. Amaning could not be substantiated.

However, action on the committee's recommendations seem to be selectively implemented, causing undue delays and much stress to Ms. Amaning, who has still not been recalled five months after the recommendation to that effect. The other officers against whom nothing serious was found have long been recalled to their original posts in Accra and Kumasi as recommended by the Committee.

At a time the outcome of the committee's investigations had not been communicated to her, the management surprisingly per letter PN.104/V.2/503 dated March 21, 2003 and signed by Mr. T.A. Nee-Okpey, the acting Director of Administration asked the regional Director to take her leave prior to retirement while her social security entitlements, transport grant and long service award are processed before she finally retires in October this year.

Ms. Amaning has since requested a rescheduling of the leave in order that issues (interdiction, cuts in salary and allowance) relating to the investigations are cleared up first.

While she was awaiting a response Nee-Okpey acting on behalf of the Director-General wrote to conditionally reinstate Ms. Amaning and requested her to report for duty at the Head Office.

This letter PN.104/V.2/506 dated April 1, 2003, however, indicated that the complaints about the visa acquisition for her child were still being investigated even against the committee's finding.

Ms. Amaning with 36 years working experience in various capacities at the GBC and with the belief that she is a target for a "gentle riddance" has challenged the latest move by management to get her transferred to Accra.

According to her the move is against the provisions of the Collective Agreement which states that "an employee, who has two years or less to serve with the GBC before retiring should not be subjected to transfers".

She wants to leave the service honourably and has therefore, petitioned the National Media Commission for her reinstatement at the Kumasi station as recommended by the Owusu-Addo Committee. "To proceed on retirement without first being reinstated at work in Kumasi where I have been stationed since December 1999 will cast a slur on my integrity and honour", she protested.

Miss Amaning thinks an early intervention would restore sanity into the current low morale and chaotic administrative system in the GBC.