By Perry TK Nartey
As the Ghana Broadcasting Corporation (GBC) marks 90 years of dedicated service to the nation, it is worth pausing to reflect on the unique role it continues to play in Ghana’s media landscape — a role best captured in the powerful metaphor: “GBC is a voice crying out in the wilderness.”
This statement, drawn from biblical scripture — notably Isaiah 40:3 and echoed in the Gospels — refers to a lone voice, like that of John the Baptist, proclaiming truth and calling for change in a barren or unresponsive environment. It is a voice not always welcomed, often unheard, and sometimes dismissed — and yet, it is a voice that continues, unwavering and resolute.
For GBC, this metaphor is more than symbolic — it is deeply reflective of its journey and identity. In an era dominated by commercial interests, media sensationalism, and the rapid rise of digital platforms, GBC remains one of the few institutions still holding the line for public service broadcasting. It speaks not for profit, but for the people. It educates, informs, entertains, and unites — even when the public’s attention may be fleeting, or when funding and support fall short.
To call GBC “a voice crying out in the wilderness” is to acknowledge:
- That it continues to proclaim truth in a media space often overshadowed by entertainment and partisan interests.
- That it serves as the custodian of national values, cultural heritage, and public accountability.
- That it remains committed to the voiceless, the rural, the marginalized, and the underserved — even when others chase ratings and revenue.
This wilderness is not of GBC’s making — it is the result of policy gaps, shifting public preferences, and the commodification of information. Yet in this terrain, GBC stands firm — persisting, evolving, and remaining relevant.
As we launch new policies at the heart of GBC’s 90th anniversary, it is time for a national reawakening — not just to listen to the voice in the wilderness, but to walk with it. To support it. To ensure that this voice — Ghana’s trusted, national, and historic voice — is never silenced.
For GBC is not just an institution. It is a legacy.
It is not just a broadcaster. It is the conscience of the nation.
And even in the wilderness, conscience must never be quiet.
Perry TK Nartey
Consultant Producer Director
Ghana Broadcasting Corporation
narteyperry@uahoo.com
