TV license a lazy way to generate income – Sam George

Member of Parliament (MP) for Ningo- Prampram, Mr. Samuel George Nartey has described the State Broadcaster and government’s approach towards collecting TV license from its citizenry as a ‘lazy way of generating income’.

The MP well known as Dzata in an interview with Accra M proposed that government finds an alternative way of taking the license from TV owners.

Many Ghanaians have registered their displeasure about the manner in which the state media is seeking to enforce and collect the levy. Some argue that, Ghana Television, (GTV) has in the past not offered any viable program to demand such a levy while some argue that, they do not switch their TV sets to the channels at all and therefore are not obliged to pay.

But the law clearly states that, so far one owns a TV set, he or she is eligible to pay.

Mr. Nartey who is also a member of communication Committee of parliament in his interview, categorically stated that there is no need for GBC to task citizens for the levy.

“To make citizens pay GH ¢36 for TV license is a very lazy way of generating money and it will fail”. He stressed.

According to him, GBC’s real revenue shortfalls is as a result of government using its channels without making payment to fund it.

“In 2017 alone, GTV lost close to GH¢ 30 million on government program telecasting productions alone” He indicated

“If the GBC is given all these to government for free, then the administration should also put measures in place to fund the station and not TV license”. He advised.

The MP argued that, since government and its agencies owe the state Broadcaster and are not forced to pay, citizens must also not be forced to the license.

“If government agencies do not pay GTV for broadcasting, then why do we have to force Ghanaians to pay for what they watch as well?” He quizzed

“Let’s begin to jail state agencies who owe GBC before the citizens because they owe GBC a chunk of money”. Mr. Nartey said

In responding to as to whether Ghanaians must pay the levy, he (Mr. Nartey) could not pin point his stand.

He also urged the state broadcaster to make some premium content pay per view than to charge Ghanaians.