By Rachel Kakraba
As the Ghana Broadcasting Corporation (GBC) marks its 90th anniversary today, July 31, the Director-General, Prof. Amin Alhassan, has renewed calls for a sustainable funding model to secure the future of the public service broadcaster. He noted that the Corporation has not received any significant funding in the past 25 years, placing a heavy strain on its operations, and reiterated the urgent need for this to be addressed.
“Have a sustainable funding mechanism for the Ghana Broadcasting Corporation. If that is not solved, it’ll compel GBC to start behaving like a commercial broadcasting system, which will be very, very regrettable because the mandate of public service requires that we reach out to every Ghanaian anywhere in the country. We try to speak their languages, and remember that the Ghana Broadcasting Corporation is the only national institution that speaks 27 Ghanaian languages a day.”
Prof. Amin Alhassan made the remarks in an exclusive interview on GBC platforms as the Corporation celebrates 90 years of broadcasting.
About GBC
Public service broadcasting in the Gold Coast was started by the British colonial administration on July 31, 1935, with the establishment of Station ZOY to relay some programmes of the British Broadcasting Corporation (BBC) to the colony. The brain behind the introduction was then Governor of the Gold Coast, Sir Arnold Hodson, affectionately known as the “Sunshine Governor.”
By 17:00 GMT on that historic day, gramophone records consisting of martial and light music were relayed, and at exactly 17:45 GMT, the voice of Sir Arnold Hodson came through to break the suspense. The Broadcasting Service was code-named Radio ZOY. It was manned by eight technicians and housed on 9th Road near the Ridge Police Station in Accra. Radio ZOY has since evolved into the present-day Ghana Broadcasting Corporation.
Restructuring GBC
Prof. Amin Alhassan said that at 90 years, the Corporation requires restructuring, as the current setup is no longer fit for purpose.
“We were structured like this to do a certain service, and today, our current structure is not fit for purpose. So the conversation about resourcing GBC has to widen to include even the restructuring of the various departments we operate with.”
“We have been preparing a new scheme of service that will reorganize the organisation completely. We are also working on a strategic plan that will provide a corporate vision for the next three to five years. You can’t just go to the government and beg and ask for more money, no. You have to go there with a plan.”
He added: “I am happy that a conversation was started with the previous government, and the current government has even shown more keen interest in that conversation about the future of GBC. We have started a process to develop a new strategic plan, which should spell out the future.”
Vision for a new GBC
Reflecting on the future, Prof. Alhassan emphasised the need for a “new GBC” where staff are reconnected to the Corporation’s core mission and empowered to thrive on modern digital platforms.
“Personally, I think what is important is for a new GBC where staff appreciate the work they do and are reconnected to the goals of the Corporation. Two, a new GBC that has the resources to properly position itself within the new digital media ecosystem. We have moved away from channels to platforms; GBC must be able to operate on all relevant platforms. It must also ensure that it increases the number of languages it broadcasts in, and has a sustainable funding mechanism that will keep it going for the next 90 years.”
Appreciation and commitment
Prof. Amin Alhassan expressed appreciation to former staff of the Corporation for their legacy.
“To our former employees, we are always proud of you. We appreciate the legacy you left behind, and we are working hard to improve upon whatever you did. Every day, we remember the work you did and the sacrifices you made.”
He also thanked GBC’s audience, assuring them of the Corporation’s continued commitment to public service.
“To the listeners of GBC, we owe our primary obligation to you. As we celebrate our 90th birthday, we renew our commitment, not to any political party, but to the government and people of Ghana. When we say government, we mean that anytime Ghanaians elect a government, we step up and say we are at your service. We will never go back to the days where GBC was simply the mouthpiece of a particular political party or government. We will serve Ghanaians.”
He added: “The Constitution mandates us to also hold those we have entrusted with power accountable, and we will never shirk that responsibility as a public service broadcaster.”
90th anniversary lectures
As part of the celebration, a series of commemorative lectures will be held. Prof. Alhassan said the anniversary is an opportunity for reflection.
“The first lecture, by Dr. Victoria Smith, will give us an understanding of what role radio played in the creation of Ghana. The second lecture will focus on a very important and often neglected aspect of the Corporation, the role of women in the development of broadcasting in Ghana. The third lecture, scheduled for sometime in August, will focus on the future of GBC.”
“So, we have decided to commit the 90th anniversary celebration to a moment of reflection, so that we can appreciate where we have come from and where we should be heading.”
He noted, however, that some lighter celebrations will follow:
“Nonetheless, a party will definitely come. There will be some drinks, and there will be some music to dance off the stress we are going through. But for now, the focus is on reflection.”
GBC remains Ghana’s leading broadcasting station, with a nationwide reach and a strong mandate for public service broadcasting.
