NDC has hijacked state media – NPP

The opposition New Patriotic Party (NPP) is accusing the ruling National Democratic Congress (NDC) of plotting to hijack the state broadcaster, Ghana Broadcasting Corporation (GBC) for the 2012 general elections.

A deputy Communications Director of the NPP, Sammy Awuku, told Joy News the party was reliably informed that the NDC was hugely indebted to the state broadcaster following a live coverage it provided the party last year.

“This would be the modus operandi of the NDC as to gradually and slowly walk into 2012. They will like to use the state owned media, to abuse it, to misuse it and to over use it...They are serving notice, this is what they intend doing, last year they started it and they did not pay, this year they have not paid, so it is obvious next year they will not pay.”

He cited the national delegates' congress of the party held in Tamale last year and the weekend's national delegates' congress in Sunyani where President Mills was re-elected to lead the NDC for the 2012 elections as cases in point.

“I have reliable information that the NDC has not settled the huge Tamale debt that they left with Ghana Television, and also I can confirm and state on authority that they have also not paid for the extensive coverage given them by the GTV [at Sunyani].”

He accused the NDC of abuse of incumbency and warned that the NPP would not sit unconcerned for the NDC to hijack the state owned media –print and electronic- that he said are being financed and resourced by the “common tax payer”.

He also questioned why Deputy Minister of Tourism, James Agyenim Boateng and Presidential Aide Stan Dogbe were engaged as GBC anchors for the Sunyani congress, even though the state broadcaster has enough experienced commentators to run the show.

James Agyenim Boateng could not confirm or deny if the party had settled its bills with GBC from the Tamale and Sunyani congresses, and directed that such questions could best be addressed by members of the party's communication team, who are in charge of coverage, and the GBC.

Nevertheless, he said he was involved when President Mills picked his nomination forms at the party's headquarters, and said GBC was paid for the live coverage.

Responding to his involvement in anchoring the event, Agyenim Boateng said GTV was looking for people in the party with knowledge in the media to handle the occasion, which he willingly accepted it, describing his action as nothing “unusual”.

Story by Isaac Essel/Myjoyonline.com/Ghana