NMC holds orientation for Boards of state-owned media

The Chairman of the National Media Commission, Mr Yaw Boadu-Ayeboafoh, has appealed to state-owned media organisations to involve the commission when engaging the government in its operations.

This, according to him, would help control any form of manipulation by government, prevent the state-owned media from becoming vulnerable and allow the commission to provide the needed assistance.

Mr Boadu-Ayeboafoh was speaking at an orientation programme organised by the Commission for Boards of state-owned media organisations namely new Times Corporation (NTC), Graphic Communications Group Limited (GCGL), Ghana News Agency (GNA) and the Ghana Broadcasting Corporation (GBC) in Accra on Saturday.

The purpose of the orientation was to prepare the Board members for their work and define divisions for the institutions they head.

He explained that the Commission could not prevent state-owned media organisations from having a relationship with the government under the provision of the 1992 Constitution, adding “such relationship should be limited.”

“What we advise is that anytime you have an engagement with government, let the NMC be aware so that if at any point in time government wants to capitalise on that relationship to render you vulnerable, the commission can intervene,” Mr Boadu-Ayeboafohsaid.

He further stressed that the commission was prepared to lead and provide state-owned media organisations the necessary assistance as it had done in recent times.

For instance, he said the commission recently had to intervene in an issue between the GBC, Electricity Company of Ghana (ECG) and the Public Utility and Regulatory Commission over an alleged amount owed by the media organisation.

On the issue of the commission’s relationship with government, MrBoadu-Ayeboafohexplained that it had on several occasions criticised some policies of government which it was of the view could undermine the operation of the state-owned media.

Mr Boadu-Ayeboafohalso urged state-owned media organisations to collaborate and build synergies in order to improve upon their work and impact national development.

“When the state-owned media organisations come together, they develop synergies, learn from each other and improve upon their own work,” Mr Boadu-Ayeboafo said.

He, therefore, charged Board members of the state-owned media organisations to perform their roles diligently to aid in its transformation.

The Board Chair of NTC, Dr Kwaku Rockson, underscored the need for the commission to review the tenure of office for Board members, and appoint individuals with financial, law and marketing background.

For his part, the Board Chair of GNA, Nana Kwaku Dei I, said a review of the State Interest and Governance Authority (SIGA) Lawmust be considered and also bemoaned the non-existence of a financial autonomy.

The Board Chair of GCGL, Prof. Olivia Kwapong emphasised on revolution of state media in terms of innovation while Prof. Debrah of the GBC highlighted on being a public and commercial servant, failure to adapt to modern technologies and outmoded acts and policies.

BY BENJAMIN ARCTON-TETTEY