By: Abdul Hayi Moomen (A concerned former staff of GBC).
The Ghana Broadcasting Corporation (GBC) is once again at a crossroads, facing yet another manufactured crisis fueled by a handful of individuals whose actions over the years have done nothing but weaken the institution they claim to serve. A small but vocal group within the corporation has started making noise, demanding the removal of the current Director General, Prof. Amin Alhassan, based on falsehoods and uninformed narratives. This is not just an attack on one man—it is an attack on the progress, stability, and future of GBC itself.
It is time for the right-thinking and forward-looking staff of GBC to reflect deeply on the history of the corporation. How many times has this same cycle played out? How many times have competent, visionary leaders been ousted—not because they failed the institution, but because their reforms threatened the comfort zones of a few individuals? And in the end, how has GBC benefited from these reckless agitations?
Let us take a moment to remember the late Eva Lokko, a woman of great intellect and vision. She initiated key reforms aimed at making GBC a modern, financially sustainable, and truly independent public broadcaster. But what did she get in return? Protests from the very people who should have supported her.
Some of those whose dubious “ways and means” were curtailed by her fought tirelessly to see her removed. And they succeeded. But after her departure, did the corporation improve? Did those who led the charge against her present a better alternative?
The answer is an emphatic no.
Then came William Ampem-Darko, a Director General who prioritized human resource development and equipment upgrades to bring GBC into the digital age. He envisioned a GBC that could stand shoulder to shoulder with private media giants. Yet, once again, the same forces rose against him, dragging his tenure to a premature end. Have the agitators ever paused to ask themselves: Where would GBC be today if Ampem-Darko had been allowed to fully implement his vision?
And what about Major Albert Don-Chebe? He had a clear strategy to transform GBC into a financially independent entity, leveraging public-private partnerships and reinstating the TV license system to guarantee sustainable funding. Yet, instead of rallying behind him, the union—swayed by the same disruptive elements—demanded his removal. The result? GBC was left in limbo, financially crippled and unable to fulfill its core mandate effectively.
Dr. Anoff Akuffo, too, sought to reintroduce the TV license as a lifeline for GBC. He understood that without financial independence, GBC would never be able to uphold its duty as a credible, neutral, and professional public broadcaster. But rather than embracing his vision, workers allowed themselves to be misled, turning against yet another leader who had their best interests at heart. What was the outcome? GBC became the butt of jokes, a shadow of its former self, struggling to remain relevant in an ever-evolving media landscape.
Fast forward to today, under the leadership of Prof. Amin Alhassan, and for the first time in decades, GBC is regaining its lost prestige. It is no longer a relic of the past, mocked by comedians and sidelined by audiences. Its studios have been upgraded and rebranded, its morning show has become a trusted platform for national discourse, and its online presence has significantly expanded.
The internal infrastructure -.buildings, roads, and working conditions- has seen unprecedented improvements. More importantly, the sense of pride among GBC staff, which had long been eroded, has returned.
And yet, history is threatening to repeat itself. A negligible group—perhaps those who thrived under a dysfunctional GBC—are once again plotting to derail progress. But this time, the question must be asked: How long will the majority of GBC staff allow themselves to be used? How long will they watch as a few individuals manipulate the system, sacrificing the future of the corporation on the altar of personal interest?
If this destructive cycle is not broken, a time will come when no competent leader will be willing to take on the challenge of steering GBC. The consequences will be dire – not just for the institution, but for the entire nation that depends on a strong, independent, and reliable public broadcaster.
It is time for the silent majority within GBC to speak up. It is time to stand for progress and reject the selfish agenda of a few. The success of GBC today is visible for all to see, both on air and online. Let us not allow history to repeat itself. Let us not allow the enemies of progress to win again.
GBC staff, the choice is yours. Will you protect the gains made, or will you allow yourselves to be used to drag the corporation back into irrelevance? The time to decide is now.
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