Exclusive Rights Granted To GBC To Telecast AFCON 2022

News Commentary On Exclusive Rights Granted To GBC To telecast Africa Cup Of Nations AFCON 2022

By Dr. Amponsah Bediako, Expert in Development Communications

Exclusive rights to telecast radio and television events regarding football or any other sporting activity is not just given to any entity to manage anyhow. This is why the Ghana Broadcasting Corporation, GBC has been selected to telecast the AfCoN tournament on radio and television. GBC has extended networks throughout the country for both radio and television. It has radio networks throughout the sixteen regions in the country and the same applies to its television network. Football tournaments in the world today have become big business and all economic  entities have great interest in them since they help in the promotion and sale of goods and services. The Chief Executive of Arsenal Football Club has proposed that the World Cup should be organized every two years instead of once in four years. According to him, organizing the FIFA World Cup every four years as is currently the case, would bring in a revenue of 5.3 billion Euros whereas if it is organized every two years, it will bring in an amount of 8.6 billion Euros. This means that organizing the World Cup once in two years would bring in an excess revenue of over 3 billion Euros. This shows the economic nature of football throughout the globe today. It is also important to note that for Ghanaians, football is the passion of the nation. It is a game that is loved by everybody irrespective of where the person finds himself in the country. Any financial support for football tournaments such as AfCon is therefore of great interest for the people of Ghana. AfCoN tournaments help to bring unity in the country whether people find themselves in government or in opposition. If this is the case, then it is more than necessary for the nation to provide support for the GBC to be able to telecast the AfCoN tournament which takes place in January and ends in early February 2022.

Usually, an entity like the Ghana Broadcasting Corporation is required to provide some financial support from its own coffers while the government of Ghana also provides some support to top up the amount required form GBC. This shows that much money is required for GBC with the support of the government to be able to ensure that the AfCoN tournament is fully telecast on both radio and television as required. In connection with this, corporate organizations are also required to support this dream by ensuring that they contact the GBC to use this opportunity to televise and also advertise their goods and services throughout the country and even beyond the borders of Ghana.

Ghanaians have been informed that the national trainer will soon name his squad for the tournament. It is not just naming of the squad that is important to Ghanaians but the need to come together to win the African Cup for the fifth time. Ghana last won the African Cup of Nations in 1982 when it was staged in Libya. This means that the trophy has eluded Ghana for about 40 years. In 1982 when Ghana won the Cup for the fourth time, no other country had won the Cup more than Ghana but over the years, other countries have managed to surpass the winning spree of the Black Stars.  The Ghana Black Stars therefore have an opportunity to increase and enhance their football achievements on the continent of Africa by ensuring that they win the Cup in Cameroon.

It is possible for Ghana to win the Cup next year, but events will have to be organized well for us to strategise and be able to come out victorious in the upcoming tournament. At the time Ghana won its African Cup for the fourth time in 1982, it had younger players who were determined to bring honour to the country. With sheer determination, they were able to win the Cup in spite of stiff opposition from other equally good competitors at the time. In January and February 2022, Ghana will be competing with other countries for the Cup but, when our football talents are well blended and given the support needed, the sky will be the limit and the Continental Cup will surely come to Ghana.

The Ghana Broadcasting Corporation has done well to fight for support to telecast the AfCoN tournament and with the support of the government and other corporate organizations, this will be possible in the sense that the Cup will surely come to Ghana. Let us all support the Ghana Broadcasting Corporation, GBC so that the dream of winning the Cup and uniting Ghana through football will be realized for this noble country.

By Dr. Amponsah Bediako, Expert in Development Communications.