Aggudey`s name crops up in GTV saga

LATEST INFORMATION reaching The Chronicle on the brouhaha surrounding the decision by Ghana Television (GTV) to truncate its breakfast show programme exactly a week ago, has revealed that it was Mr. George Opesika Aggudey who was officially invited to appear on the programme.

The Chronicle learnt from reliable sources that Mr. Aggudey was the first panel member to arrive at the GBC premises for the programme, but when they were about to go on air, Ms. Ursula Owusu also arrived. Though his presence would have balanced the panel, he was asked to stay behind whilst Ursula was allowed into the studio. Sources at GBC told this reporter that as to how Ursula was allowed in instead of Aggudey, could best be explained by the hostess Gifty Anti and the producer of the programme. Aggudey, who was not happy with the turn of events quietly left the place

Sections of the staff of GBC who spoke to this paper, fumed with rage over the inability of the GBC Director General, Mr. William Ampem-Darko, to let the cat out of the bag by exposing those involved in the embarrassment to the nation's premier Television station.

Mr. Aggudey, who lost in his bid to represent the Convention People's Party (CPP) in 2008 elections to Dr. Paa Kwesi Ndoum, was however, not ready to speak on the matter when reached on phone yesterday.

The Director General of GBC, Mr. William Ampem-Darko, who had received a lot of flaks from sections of the top leadership of the NPP, who accused him of attempting to please the ruling National Democratic Congress (NDC) to sustain his job, confirmed to this reporter that he was indeed informed that Mr. Aggudey was at the studio on that day to participate in the programme. “I am aware that he was there that day, but contact the Director of TV because he would be the best person to provide you with all the necessary details that you are looking for, since he was present on that day,” he said.

When this paper contacted the director of TV, Mr. Moses Gyampong, he could not fathom why the press were still pursuing the matter almost a week after the incident happened. According to him, the corporate department of GBC would soon come out with a statement and that he would not want to pre-empt what they would say. When pressed further, he said “We are all in the same profession, please respect my views”.

The Producer of the programme also declined to comment on the matter and directed the paper to the Public Relations Department. He then hanged up and refused to pick further calls.

Gifty Anti, who hosted the programme, would also not speak on the matter. She directed this reporter to talk to Ms. Ursula Owusu to ascertain the one who actually invited her to the programme. When Ms. Owusu was reached on her cell phone, she denied rumours that Gifty Anti invited her to the programme.

According to her, she was invited by one of the young assistant producers who usually invite her to the programme. She could not, however, mention the name of the said assistant producer who invited her. “I have never spoken to Gifty. It was not true that she invited me,” she said.

Meanwhile this paper has gathered that by the Station's policy, no worker of GBC is allowed to speak to the press, unless explicit permission is granted.