Pressure group, Alliance for Accountable Governance (AFAG) says the government’s decision to re-introduce TV license fees makes no sense adding that the Ghana Broadcasting Corporation (GBC) is a liability to the nation.
The Director-General of GBC, Major Albert Don-Chebe (Rtd) has explained the decision was made because GBC has been unable to deliver quality service due to poor funding.
[contextly_sidebar id=”Vmk0UscRX1zs37TKxU1IJNP7iiE6l7oB”]“GBC has suffered tremendously from lack of funding and this has obviously impacted negatively on its ability to do the things that it’s been mandated to do.… Because of the several years of poor funding, it will defiantly impact on equipment, motivation, and the state of the whole organization,” he said.
But, AFAG in a statement said the move “is a desperate attempt by a failing government to introduce a new tax and push hardship on its people.”
“This makes no sense. GBC has suffered excessive interference by this regime. It is non-attractive to viewers because that station is very bias and has most non-productive programs airing. GBC has never attended any AFAG press conference obviously because of their quest to censor and please government. How can members of AFAG pay TV license to a very hostile and non performing TV station?”
They further claimed that “it is obvious that, the TV license is another IMF cost push measure in the offing.”
“We do not see how GBC alone would generate income from commercial activities like advertisements and announcements, receive yearly subvention from government and still want every TV user to pay Ghc36 annually. This is another attempt by government to milk Ghanaians just as they have done to the NHIA. Though Ghanaians pay 2.5% NHIA levy per any transaction, less than 1% is given to the NHIA.”
They also called on Ghanaians “to resist any attempt by this government to bully Ghanaians into paying this illegal fee. We are not Zombies. Simply, we should not comply. Everyone must brace him or herself up for another positive defiance.”
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By: Godwin A. Allotey/citifmonline.com/Ghana