The Special TV licence courts in both Accra and Kumasi reportedly sat for the first time after they were created in November last year but had no case to hear.

Myjoyonline.com has learnt the Attorney-General (A-G)'s Office did not present any cases to be heard.

But the Registrar at the Kumasi Circuit Court (2) told Luv FM’s Ohemeng Tawiah Thursday the absence of cases cannot stop the courts from sitting on the designated days.

The decision to create the courts has sparked public outrage, with some Ghanaians saying they are ready to go to jail for non-payment of the licence.

Related Article: Special TV Licence Court set up to prosecute defaulters

Chief Justice, Sophia Akuffo

Chief Justice, Sophia Akuffo, set up the courts based on a request made by GBC's Director-General Dr Kwame Akuffo Anoff-Ntow in November last year.

The state broadcaster, Ghana Broadcast Court (GBC) in February last year resumed the collection of TV licence fee after it was suspended for more than two decades. 

Per the payment arrangement, dealers in television sets are required to pay GH¢5 per month, while commercially licensed users will pay GH¢3 per month for a television set. The amount will, however, double based on the number of devices owned by a household.

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But attempts to charge Ghanaians for owning television sets have not been successful, a development that necessitated the creation of the special courts.

Section 1(a) of Television Licensing (Amendment) Law, 1991 states that “Any person who contravenes any provision of this law or regulation shall be guilty of an offence and shall be liable on conviction to a fine or to imprisonment for a term not exceeding one year.”

At their first sitting, the courts were not presented with any TV licence case to hear.