GBC @ 88 (1)

Growing is nicest when all things are equal. But the “all things being equal” depend on disposition—per­sonal or institutional. But either falls within a myriad of either momentary, or enduring yet, both ways unstable variables. It is either personal or institutional, such as our National Broadcaster, the GBC. GBBC has trudged through to 88 [July 31, 2023], having steadied itself administra­tively and visibly.

Does anyone remember the last time strike threw out Director­ate and Board? This is eloquent declaration of intent to take off, assuming fully resourced and or helped through endowments. But it has to be very shrewd se­lecting from the “Father Christ­mases”.

On its side, the GBC should also give a testimony of approx­imate professionally indepen­dent through innovation. In broadcasting, it is not difficult to turn a sleight of hand, news, programmes and presentation—a slew of varieties between news and programmes. These give substance to its potential in the perceived intent. And even that is superficial opinion, and I con­fess the utmost doubt. Truly, the political intrusions may not go away particularly in an upcom­ing election-year and after. But it is about time to 90 that GBC moved on either to or towards at­taining the stature envisioned for it in 1935 from Station ZOY—the authoritative “African BBC”.

For all of its unpardonable er­rors, there can’t be any scepticism that GBC has raised high enough sensibility about the electronic mass media and led outstripping the country-wide shrunk print media. I ought to explain “ap­proximately”. I would contend as the piece develops that respon­sibility is a tripartite, the GBC’s the smallest, outside of delivering to meet satisfaction with poten­tial promising sustained “up-up”.

I have an urgent need to digress to get back bearing on the theme. In brass tacks today, Radio/TV facilities outnumber print. Indeed, print are struggling to add on electronic sectors. Let me suggest for deduction as might, that part of the groping hurdles, is due from these: deliberate training and essentially that in broadcasting, it is very easy to transit from radio to television. On its own, the idea for print to add on radio/television hasn’t achieved yet because it seems the choices are either they are going to abandon print or concen­trate [i] updating equipment or cojoined printing newspapers electronically; and or fold.

I knew a thinking was explored to link up a West African mass coverage newspapering start­ing with the Daily Graphic and the Times of Nigeria before coup-mania struck the two coun­tries January and February 1966. [ii] when the dust was settling, the mood shifted to a Pan-Af­rican News Agency. Before leaving that necessary historical back-ups, I be­lieve that the co-joining publica­tions is possible domestically. The same kind was conceivable that a West African broadcasting set up would have been fastest because they are all BBC mod­els. Be that as it may back to our GBC.

I had implied earlier that the independence would be crucial asset pursuant to take off, anoth­er Confiteor is that it takes time to remove the barricades ; and that can succeed from mutually acceptable agreement between the GBC, authority of the day and subsequent years and the country that it ought and is the right thing to do. Let us face it, GBC has never been let alone to develop into the “GBC AFRI­CA” since independence though colonial Britain did same in subtle ways. And in spite, GBC made impactful strides before independence –BH-2 to BH-3, a Service to Corporation. The advent of TV in 1965 was a peak followed by Radio-2 both before the giant External Service which turned this country into the Mecca of African emancipation and engineered broadcast cultural renaissance. It is best to hold off detailing the derailment since 1966 putsch.

For resources, the sore point-im­pediment is the vogue notion for the Corporation to be the princi­pal. It was an un-succinctly State im­plied policy when the NLC gave the GBC a carte blanche to go commer­cial 1967. Dwindling subsidies started then. It is wrong. Every National Broadcaster is neither famished nor cut off its um­bilical cord from its national exchequer. This is global for primary reason that it is the next to its nation’s Flag, conveying the nation internationally and affairs. It means the GBC per se is not responsible to levy the country. It is an institution the nation owes its existence. A former DG Prof. Alex .T. Quarmyne in a paper delivered at Volta Hotel, Akosombo [March 12, 1999] at NMC workshop what to do about resourcing the “new GBC” concluded: “GBC would be in competition for quality and not for advertising for cedis.”

Nationally and from long ago, we pay unbeneficial [seen and or felt—street lights] tariffs –the Telecos and the Banks ; and the greatest importance of a National Broadcaster is firmly underlined by the presence of competing in­ternationals—BBC, Radio France Internationale and DWA; and we facilitate their being heard and seen here throughout the country. The BBC, GBC’s mother contin­ues to receive annual parliamenta­ry budgetary allocations-approv­als since the 1927 franchise.

The fault in-country broadcast­ing, is it has appeared generally pawns for the ADs industry. Just consider the irritating and put-off interruptions, irrespective of programmes-theme relativ­ity. It should be the other way round—Ads Depts-shortfall. The current impresses: scrounging and cheap­ens content which enlarges listenership incidentally towing quality adverts. The news could be less labori­ously written and ease the oft shoddily delivered. GBC has standards, reprehen­sible if un-stated. Greatest faux pas are the no-pattern music and enter­tainment. Both for kinds. And short of sacrilege, we fail to recognise that OBs and entertain­ments are short of sacri­lege are the ‘holy grail’—one is a spender and other rakes in revenue thought through. Then programmes air schedules and presentations tend to be sloppy for lack of depth.

I mean it’s too far distant cries from Rose Odamten to Hannah Dankwa-Smith, Jane Cole to Get­ty Opare Addo –Womens Half-Hour [English] and equivalent in Akan, Akosua Baawa to Auntie Nana Ntsei; or Anokware Ta­makloe, Naa Amarteifio to Hesse, Ewe and Ga respectively. Suspi­cions could be loss of particularly internally trained specialists in the scheme of broadcasting. It looks like a whole lot in depth programmes had been marched out as if by muted ‘’Death March in Saul’’ plus space—RA­DIO-ONE, old studios 1 [Books and Theatre Reviews], 4 [Drama] and 5 [from classical through “Sunday Half-Hour” (morning religious service) to entertain­ments—Dance Bands, Live or pre-recorded; and topped with demised RADIO-TWO.

All in that procession post-Ex­ternal Service. And latterly, reserved lands and frequencies for future expansion. I should explain in ‘’NB’’ that Radio Joy was a compelled political and economic sacrifice, however inconvenient at the time. Radio Joy has developed into a giant competitor of GBC today. We needn’t forget creation. But spe­cifically, the GBC’s fundamental error, responding apparently in a rush, anathema in broadcasting, is the poorly smart effort to copycat at the dawn of the cascading multi-Privates. GBC abandoned their hold and muddied its clear portfolio: ‘’PUBLIC BROAD­CASTER AND COMMERCIAL ENTERPRISE.

The remedy is quiet re-investing through planned re-equipping Techs and human resources via in-house roll-on indexed to pro­motion. In the electronic media, training has two forms—on the job and formal in-house. I am pointing at these selectively with grave nostalgic circumspection to urge attention towards calculated restoration of GBC’s mantras. I imagine the results follow a calculated strategic plan orient­ed towards development. That mindset shall return variety of “Flagships” at both Radio and TV. This kind of “da mu saa” as one among the lot derives from the accumulated depths of broken morale which hit GBC from administrative intrusions as far back as 1966 following the military-police putsch. In detail, comparable with the logic of Amos Tutuola’s “Palm wine drunkard’s” minstrel since 1966. That interruption twisted succes­sion from top down, promotions et al. I think it does not hold its stingy edge necessarily today though politics of in situ may reportedly lurk.

[To be concluded]

By Prof. Nana Essilfie-Conduah.