The Divisional Union of the Ghana Broadcasting Corporation (GBC) has once again petitioned the newly constituted National Media Commission (NMC), urging swift action over what it describes as the inappropriate continued occupancy of the Director-General’s office by Professor Amin Alhassan.
Prof. Alhassan’s four-year tenure officially ended on October 1, 2023.In the latest petition, dated July 21, 2025, and addressed to NMC Chairperson Professor Akua Biritwum, the Union noted that this marks its fourth formal petition on the matter.Copies of the petition were sent to the Chief of Staff, the Office of the President, the Minister for Government Communication, the Chairman of GBC’s Board, Professor Alhassan himself, as well as senior executives of the Trades Union Congress (TUC) and the Public Services Workers Union (PSWU).The Union raised concerns over the legal and operational risks associated with Professor Alhassan’s continued decision-making, arguing that his actions lack legitimacy and could have serious implications for the Corporation.
“This remains our firm position,” the Union stated.Supporting their claim, the Union referenced a letter dated March 14, 2025, from the Controller and Accountant Generals Department, which invoked Section 25(5) of the Public Financial Management Act, 2016 (Act 921).The letter noted that any financial commitments relating to staffing, including the appointment of a Director-General, must be subject to clearance by the Minister and fall within Parliamentary limits.The Controller and Accountant Generals Department warned that without retrospective financial clearance from October 2, 2023, any salaries paid to the Director-General could be considered unearned.
Consequently, the salary payments to Professor Alhassan have been suspended since March 2025.Despite these developments, the Union said that the NMC has failed to act, describing the Commission’s silence as a tacit endorsement of what it called mismanagement and financial malfeasance.The Union warned that if the issue is not resolved within ten working days, it will be compelled to advise itself, signalling possible industrial action or legal steps.The Union also referenced prior petitions, including one dated November 21, 2023, filed through the PSWU of TUC, which clearly stated that the staff opposed any extension of Professor Alhassan’s contract.
A second petition, dated July 19, 2024, raised further concerns about the worsening state of the corporation, leading to media engagements and public protests by staff.In another public campaign on August 28, 2024, the unionised staff urged the NMC to act swiftly, but according to the Union, their appeal was again met with silence.The petition further cited the controversy surrounding the $3.6 million contract awarded during the 13th African Games, which the Union claims brought GBC unwanted public scrutiny.Additionally, the Public Accounts Committee had referred Professor Alhassan to the Attorney-General for prosecution for alleged breaches of procurement laws, following the Auditor-General’s report on GBC for the year ending December 31, 2022.The Union urged the NMC to treat the petition with the seriousness it deserves, warning that failure to act would worsen staff morale and further erode public confidence in the state broadcaster.
