Show More Educative Programmes-Information Minister

Information Minister, Mrs Zita Sabah Okaikoi The Information Minister, Mrs Zita Sabah Okaikoi, has called on the Ghana Broadcasting corporation (GBC) to show more educative programmes while 'monitoring what goes on air, taking into consideration parental guidance of certain programmes' as it can negatively affect the younger generation.

Mrs Okaikoi made the call when she visited the Corporation where she toured the nationwide television station and its affiliate radio station, Unique FM in Accra.

Her visit brings to six, the number of media organisations she has visited so far since she assumed office as the Information Minister.

The Minister expressed her worry on GBC's operations with analogue. She therefore challenged the Corporation to concentrate on moving from Analogue to Digital, which, according to her, is a directive for the International Committee of Broadcasters.

She was optimistic that with the provision of the necessary logical support, GBC can confidently rub shoulders with most international broadcasting networks. She therefore assured of Government's support for the Corporation to carry out more developmental programmes.

On the question as to whether GBC should go on subvention, Mrs Okaikoi declined, saying, the time is not yet ripe, but until the 'Television (TV) Licence Registration Act is passed.

She was received by management and some staff of the Corporation, led by its Director-General, Mr William Ampem-Darko.

In a welcome address, the Director-General acknowledged the importance of the visit, stating that it gives the various stakeholders the opportunity to have a firsthand knowledge of what goes on in the Corporation as well as appreciate and understand the aspirations of the national broadcasting network.

Mr Ampem-Darko said,, GBC, as part of its mandate, is pre-occupied with providing information for national development, entertainment and educating the people of Ghana. This, he added, has seen GBC as the station of the nation with nationwide coverage.

The Director-General disclosed that the Corporation will strive to achieve its objectives by being guided by the National Media Commission guidelines, the Code of Ethics of the Ghana Journalists Association and the National Constitution.

Mrs Okaikoi, as part of her visit, was conducted around some sections of production which include the GBC Radio Studio (Unique FM), the TV Studios (recording), the Editing Suites and the Master Control Room (MCR).