The National Media Commission (NMC) has urged the Board of Directors of the Ghana Broadcasting Corporation (GBC) to formally inform all staff about the renewal of the contract of the corporation’s Director-General, Professor Amin Alhassan.

In a letter addressed to the Board Chairman, the Executive Secretary of the NMC, Mr George Sarpong, confirmed that Prof. Alhassan’s appointment had been renewed on February 26, 2024.

The decision, the NMC explained was publicly announced during the inauguration of the new GBC Board on August 13, 2024.

However, the NMC indicated that some recent media reports suggest that some GBC employees were unaware of the contract renewal.

The Commission has therefore asked the Board to take immediate steps to communicate the renewal to all staff and has assured its readiness to provide any necessary clarification.

The NMC also expressed confidence in the leadership of the Board, management, and staff, commending their efforts in advancing GBC’s progress in recent years.

The Commission further encouraged all stakeholders to work collaboratively to sustain the achievements recorded under Prof. Alhassan’s tenure.

Article 168 of the 1992 Constitution, mandates the National Media Commission (NMC) to appoint the board and Chief Executives of state-owned media in consultation with the President.

Background

The unionised staff of GBC are demanding the immediate removal of the Director-General, arguing that he is out of sync with the aspirations of both the workers and the corporation.

At a press conference on March 20, 2025, the Chairman of the GBC Local Union, Sam Nat Kevor, declared that the Director-General was “an unwelcomed person” at GBC.

He added that although the union was aware of the broadcaster’s strategic importance to national security, workers had lost confidence in both Prof. Alhassan and the NMC.

Mr Kevor pointed out that the Director-General’s tenure officially ended on October 1, 2023, yet the NMC had allowed him to remain in office for 17 months without formally communicating his status to staff or the public.

He stated that the union had, since November 21, 2023, through its mother union, the Public Sector Workers Union (PSWU), written to the NMC and the Office of the President seeking clarification on the DG’s status.

He said the NMC responded on December 11, 2023, indicating that it was in the process of determining the leadership of GBC, referencing Article 168 of the 1992 Constitution, which mandates the Commission to appoint the board and Chief Executives of state-owned media in consultation with the President.

Union calls for investigations

The GBC Local Union has also demanded an immediate forensic audit into the corporation’s financial dealings under Prof. Alhassan’s tenure.

“The union also calls for an investigation into the applications and operations of the Internally Generated Fund at GBC, full and adequate compensation for the technicians and production teams that worked during the 13th African Games,” Mr Kevor stated.

He also called for a probe into financial transactions related to GBC’s coverage of the 2022 FIFA World Cup and the 13th African Games, including payments and expected revenue accruals. Additionally, the union wants investigations into the sale or lease of GBC-owned lands across the country.

“GBC today is virtually on its knees and a pale shadow of itself in terms of logistics, equipment, and personnel. GBC was once a standard measure for excellence in broadcasting,” Mr Kevor lamented, attributing the decline to the actions and inactions of the Director-General.

Prof. Alhassan dismisses allegations

Responding to the allegations, Prof. Amin Alhassan denied claims of mismanagement and insisted that his leadership had significantly improved GBC’s financial standing.

In an interview with the Daily Graphic, he maintained that the union had “unfettered access to management” but had failed to follow due process in scheduling meetings.

“The only objective of the leader of the union is to see the DG out of office,” he said, adding that they “do not understand anything about media management.”

He acknowledged the financial challenges within the media industry but stressed that under his leadership, “I have led the GBC to increase revenue by 50 per cent.”

Prof. Alhassan also dismissed allegations regarding the sale of GBC lands, clarifying that no transactions had taken place, but rather, interested parties had merely expressed interest.