GBC Boss A Casualty Of Political Victimisation?

Some staff of the state broadcaster, Ghana Broadcasting Corporation (GBC) are pointing to political victimisation as the probable cause for the Director-General’s sacking.

They believe Dr Kwame Akuffo Anoff-Ntow has been unfairly treated.

Some of them who spoke to Joy News said both the board and Dr Anoff-Ntow erred.

According to the workers, the sacked Director General erred with regard to discussions about establishing a court to prosecute defaulters of TV licence while the board also erred in handling communications regarding the issue.

Their comments ares in reaction to the directive by the board of GBC for Dr Kwame Akuffo Anoff-Ntow to proceed on leave with immediate effect.

Chief Justice, Sophia Akuffo’s decision to grant the request of Dr Anoff-Ntow for the setting up of the Special TV Licence Courts to ensure people pay their TV Licence as required by law, drew raging condemnation from the public.

Although a section of the public supported the tax, Dr Anoff-Ntow muddied the waters when he stated that the levy is not being charged for owning a television set – which the law stipulates – but for content on GBC.

Domestic TV users are to pay between GHC36 and GHC60 for one or more TV sets in a household, while TV set repairers and sales outlets are to pay an annual sum of between GHC60 to GHC240.

Responding to the controversy, the Information Minister, Mustapha Abdul Hamid said the GBC Director-General was rash in his approach to get Ghanaians to pay the unpopular tax.

But the workers say they are disappointed that Dr Anoff-Ntow is walking away with his wealth of experience and plans to reform the Corporation.

They say they are observing to see how events will unfold.

At a staff durbar Tuesday, three persons were named to hold the fort in the interim.

They are Augustus Yamson and Kwame Wajah, who are both directors and Michael Nyantakyi, a board member.