The Divisional Union of the Ghana Broadcasting Corporation (GBC) has submitted a fresh petition to the newly constituted National Media Commission (NMC), calling for immediate intervention regarding the continued occupation of the Director-General’s office by Professor Amin Alhassan, whose official four-year term ended on October 1, 2023.
In a petition dated July 21, 2025, and addressed to NMC Chairperson, Professor Akua Biritwum, the Union expressed concern that this marks the fourth petition on the issue, yet no decisive action has been taken.
The petition was also copied to key stakeholders, including the Chief of Staff, the Office of the President, the Minister for Government Communication, the Chairman of the GBC Board, the Director-General himself, and leaders of the Trades Union Congress (TUC) and Public Services Workers Union (PSWU).
The Union warned that Professor Alhassan’s continued decision-making at the helm of GBC carries serious legal and operational risks, asserting that his actions lack legitimacy and could cause long-term harm to the Corporation. “This remains our firm position,” the Union stated.
To support their position, the Union cited a March 14, 2025, letter from the Controller and Accountant-General’s Department, which invoked Section 25(5) of the Public Financial Management Act, 2016 (Act 921).
The letter emphasised that staffing appointments, including that of Director-General, must receive ministerial clearance and fall within budgetary limits approved by Parliament.
Without retroactive clearance from October 2, 2023 it warned, any salary payments to Professor Alhassan would be deemed unearned. As a result, salary payments to Professor Alhassan have been suspended since March 2025.
Despite these developments, the Union criticised the NMC for failing to act, describing the Commission’s silence as a tacit endorsement of mismanagement and financial impropriety.
They issued a stern warning: if the matter is not resolved within ten working days, the Union will “advise itself,” indicating possible industrial action or legal recourse.
The Union also referenced earlier petitions, including one dated November 21, 2023, submitted through the PSWU of TUC, in which staff firmly opposed any contract extension for Professor Alhassan.
A subsequent petition, dated July 19, 2024, raised additional concerns about GBC’s deteriorating state, sparking media attention and staff protests. Further pressure mounted during a public campaign on August 28, 2024, where unionised staff again urged the NMC to intervene—but, according to the Union, this too was ignored.
The latest petition also highlighted the controversy surrounding a $3.6 million contract awarded during the 13th African Games, which the Union claims subjected GBC to unwelcome public scrutiny.
Moreover, the Auditor-General’s report for the year ending December 31, 2022, led to Professor Alhassan being referred by the Public Accounts Committee over alleged procurement law violations.
Concluding their petition, the Union urged the NMC to treat the matter with urgency and seriousness, warning that further inaction will damage staff morale and deepen the erosion of public trust in Ghana’s national broadcaster.
