TV License: Sack GBC Board Chairman immediately – Consultant

A consultant, Dr. Kwadwo Amoako, has called for a total overhaul of the board of the Ghana Broadcasting Corporation (GBC) for the brouhaha surrounding the collection and prosecution of defaulters of the mandatory TV license fee.

The Governing Board of GBC on Wednesday directed management to halt plans to prosecute defaulters of the mandatory TV licence.

In a statement, the Governing Board said "At an emergency meeting of the Governing Board of the Ghana Broadcasting Corporation on the 10th of January 2018, the Board was apprised of the challenges that had come in the wake of the implementation of the Television Licence Fee."

The Board also noted the outcry, anxieties and apprehensions expressed by the public with respect to possible prosecution for non-payment.

The Board, following an evaluation of the situation, has instructed the Management of Ghana Broadcasting Corporation (GBC) not to pursue any activity, or set of processes, leading to the prosecution of any individual for non-payment of the Television Licence Fee.

But responding to the issue, Dr. Amoako called for a total overhaul of the board for the mishap. He also indicated that, if we cannot overhaul the board, then some key persons should be removed including the Chairman.

“It will be proper to fire every member of the board or remove the board chairman. In my honest opinion, we have to sack all of them and a new one constituted so they will work effectively," he said.

The consultant told Kwame Tutu that it will be proper for an investigation to be conducted to establish whether there was a breach. He was however worried over the inability of the state to properly investigate and sanction persons involved in the misbehavior of officials of state.

Meanwhile, the statement from the board concluded that:

"The Governing Board is assuring the public not to entertain any fear of any such possible prosecutions. With respect to the future of the Ghana Broadcasting Corporation, the Board recommends that the National Media Commission (NMC) drives the processes of engaging critical stakeholders, to resolve the status of GBC, and find a more enduring funding module, that would enable it to discharge its constitutional mandate."