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Workshop recommends
transformation of GBC into Public Service Broadcaster
Ho, Nov.1, Ghanadot/GNA- A workshop on
Public Service Broadcasting in Ghana has called for the
transformation of Ghana Broadcasting Corporation (GBC) from
a state reliant broadcaster into a fully-fledged Public
Service Broadcasting entity supported by a funding
arrangement that is independent of governmental control.
The workshop concluded that NLCD 226 of 1968 under which the
GBC was incorporated be reviewed to state the public service
functions of the Corporation clearly and comprehensively.
It recommended the establishment of a fund to support the
transformed GBC and others like it, including Public service
institutions created by the 1992 constitution to promote and
nurture democratic development and popular participation in
governance.
The workshop titled "Public Service Broadcasting in
Ghana-The way forward" was jointly organized by the Ghana
Journalists Association, Friedrich Ebert Foundation and KAB
Governance Consult to engender public debate on Public
Service Broadcasting in Ghana.
The workshop recommended the establishment of a fund
supported by dividends or a percentage of dividends and
advertisement revenue from all radio and television
stations, tax on all Information Communication Technology
appliances imported into the country and a minimum tax on
mobile phones sold in the country.
Other sources should come from electricity tariffs, revenue
from the coverage of commercial news by the GBC and a
percentage of the contributions to the National Health
Insurance Scheme.
While the workshop endorsed the continuation of the TV
licence fees there were however disagreements over whether
the fees should be raised from the current 30Gp (3,000 cedis)
per TV set to GH¢1.50 (15,000 cedis).
It was argued that the mechanism for collecting the current
TV Licence fees level must be made efficient and based on
reliable data on the number of television sets in the
country.
The workshop recommended that the proposals being tabled
should take between three and five years to develop fully
during, which period the state should continue and increase
its funding of the GBC through the National Media Commission
or Parliament.
In his remarks, Mr William Ampem Darko, Director-General of
the GBC said the public's outrage at GBC's inability to
provide live coverage of the public sittings of the Public
Accounts Committee (PAC) of Parliament showed that Public
Service Broadcasting was essential for the country.
"The blame was fully on the GBC", he observed.
The recommendations were provoked by on an in-depth
presentation on the topic by Mr Berfi Apenteng, a Media
Consultant with vast experience in state and private
television broadcasting as well as public print media
operations in Ghana.
GNA
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