The National Media Commission (NMC) has responded to current happenings at Ghana Broadcasting Corporation (GBC) between the Board of Directors and workers of the national broadcaster.

In a press release Monday, the Commission confirmed that it has met with the Board of the national broadcaster and is working at resolving the differences.

The NMC denied that the Director-General, Major Albert Don-Chebe, has not sought an extension of his tenure, which started in 2013, and ends in 2016.

Aggrieved workers of GBC Wednesday vowed to resist the extension of Don-Chebe’s tenure after serving his term.

According to the workers, Don-Chebe, and his Board has collapsed GBC thus their demand for a new management who has the well being of the national broadcaster at heart.

The workers claim that Don-Chebe and his Board have misused monies that are supposed to be re-invested.

Management is said to have bought new personal vehicles for executives while the station lacks the equipment to work with.

Below is the Press Release by the NMC:

 

February 29, 2016

NMC CALLS FOR CALM AT GBC

The National Media Commission has taken note of recent agitations at the Ghana Broadcasting Corporation (GBC) by a section of workers, citing various grievances. The Commission has met with the Board of the Corporation and concluded that the issues at GBC can be resolved amicably to the satisfaction of all parties. The Commission therefore calls for the restoration of calm at GBC. The Commission believes that GBC would develop better in an atmosphere of peace and industrial harmony.

As far as the Commission is concerned, there is no controversy about the tenure of the Director-General. The Director-General, Major Albert Don-Chebe has not sought an extension of his contract and the Commission is therefore not considering any such extension.

The Commission wishes to explain that the Director-General’s contract expires in May 2016. Until then, he remains the substantive Director-General of the Corporation. As part of his contract, Major Albert Don-Chebe is entitled to 30 working days leave for each year served. He has therefore taken his outstanding leave for the past two years. In the meantime, the Deputy Director-General, Mrs. Francisca Ashietey-Odunton acts as the Director-General.

The Commission enjoins any person or group who has any grievance at GBC to use laid down procedures to make their complaints to the relevant authority for redress.

The Commission directs the Acting Director-General to take steps to ensure that there is harmony at the Corporation.

KWASI GYAN-APENTENG

CHAIRMAN