The Ghana Journalists Association (GJA) says the decision by the board of directors of the Ghana Broadcasting Corporation (GBC) for Director General Dr Kwame Akuffo Anoff-Ntow to proceed on leave is wrong.
The Association said the decision infringes upon the 1992 Constitution, which gives such powers to the National Media Commission (NMC).
It said the setting up of an interim management committee (IMC) to perform functions in the absence of Dr Anoff-Ntow even worsens the case.
“That amounts to the usurpation of the NMC’s constitutional mandate,” GJA said in a statement dated January 18, 2018.
The board at an emergency meeting asked the Director General to proceed on leave over his handling of the television license fees.
Dr Anoff-Ntow is accused of having taken a unilateral decision by causing the judiciary to set up 11 courts to prosecute TV license defaulters.
The board chaired by Rev Prof Emmanuel Addow Boateng set up a three-member IMC to take charge of running the state broadcaster.
But GJA’s statement signed by General Secretary Kofi Yeboah said the board has put the cart before the horse.
“That is unacceptable because it has the potential to give our constitutional democracy, particularly the functions of the NMC a rough ride.
“In the light of the foregoing the GJA appeals to the NMC to, as a matter of urgency, intervene in the development at GBC and recall the Director-General from leave.”
Source: 3news.com|Ghana