GBC on fire: Workers union demand Director-General’s removal

The Director-General of the Ghana Broadcasting Corporation (GBC), Professor Amin Alhassan, has firmly dismissed allegations of mismanagement, illegitimacy, and financial irregularities levelled against him by unionised staff of the state broadcaster.

Speaking in a series of interviews and media engagements on Thursday, August 28, Prof. Alhassan described the claims as false, misleading, and politically motivated, stressing that operations at GBC remain normal despite union protests.

“Everything they have told you is false. If you visit GBC, you will realise that work is going on normally. The number of union executives making these claims does not even represent the entire membership; it is just a fraction,” he said, adding that any journalist could verify the state of affairs at the broadcaster.

He further clarified concerns regarding his contract and remuneration, explaining that delays in financial clearance from the Ministry of Finance were not unique to his case. “If a Director-General is appointed, it takes time for the Ministry of Finance to issue financial clearance. I can assure you that the Ministry has already issued clearance for the activation of my salary. Every CEO goes through this, so there is nothing unusual about my situation,” he explained.

Prof. Alhassan stressed that his appointment was made by the National Media Commission (NMC) and therefore any questions regarding his tenure should be addressed to the Commission. “The union has no capacity to fire a DG. The legitimate appointing authority is the National Media Commission and as I speak to you I have a completely executed contract between myself and the NMC… I have it with me and I don’t have doubt in my mind. My contract is effective 2nd October 2023 for a four-year term.”

Responding to criticisms from Divisional Union Chairman, Sam Nat Kevor, who has led the call for his removal, Prof. Alhassan questioned his work ethic. “The guy who was speaking in red [Sam Nat Kevor] he is a reporter, a journalist. In the last five years, he hasn’t written one story in his life. And he comes to say he wants to change GBC?”

He also accused Kevor and his allies of resisting necessary reforms aimed at modernising the 90-year-old broadcaster. “We are looking to re-strategise. After 90 years, the practices we’ve been used to will not take us into the next 90 years. So all that we are saying is, GBC has to be reborn, and that rebirth is what is hitting hard on the lazy ones.”

Prof. Alhassan further attributed the staff unrest to his insistence on discipline, merit-based promotions, and enforcement of workplace regulations. “All I can assure is this, the right thing must be done at GBC. We are tired of the union taking matters into their own hands,” he said.

Singling out indiscipline among staff, he noted: “Sam Nat who is speaking to you he doesn’t work. He has declared himself that he is not going to work. He is a union executive. I have said you can’t be a union executive full-time job, it’s a part-time job and I am assuring him that he is supposed to go to work. Staff [members] get up they travel abroad without permission.”

He continued: “A staff [member] don’t come to work and they expect to receive salary. I said no way. If you are a staff and you don’t come to work you don’t deserve salary. If you choose to travel on your own abroad to spend a month, two months, three months and expect to still have your job, then you must be kidding me you are not working in Ghana’s public service.”

On promotions, he explained that GBC is bound by the Public Service Commission’s regulations, which require specific qualifications. “They are of the view that if a staff at the GBC works, he must be promoted based on the number of years he works but the Public Service Commission Regulation requires that every rank comes with a certain level of academic qualification. If you don’t have it you can be here 100 years, you cannot get that promotion by virtue of times worked.”

Despite mounting pressure from union leaders, who accuse him of presiding over a broadcaster in crisis, including stalled programming at Uniiq FM, neglected welfare, and financial mismanagement, Prof. Alhassan insists he remains committed to accountability, discipline, and reforms.

“These things I am enforcing, they are not happy with it,” he maintained.

The standoff between GBC’s management and its union remains unresolved, with staff threatening further action if their demands for his removal are not met.