Accra: Mr. Felix Kwakye Ofosu, Minister for Government Communication, has announced that the government will soon present a retooling and recapitalisation plan to Parliament to enable the Ghana Broadcasting Corporation (GBC) to reclaim its position as the nation's premier broadcaster. He explained that the government intends to leverage GBC's assets, including its lands located in prime areas of Accra, to mobilise funds and resources to revitalise the operations of the Corporation.
According to Ghana News Agency, Mr. Kwakye Ofosu, who is also the Member of Parliament for the Abura Asebu-Kwamankese constituency, discussed this initiative in Parliament on Tuesday while responding to a question from Minority Leader Alexander Afenyo-Markin regarding encroachment on GBC's lands. He cited an instance where the Ghana Revenue Authority (GRA) took five acres of GBC's land near the Jubilee House without formal arrangement or payment, adding that the government is working to ensure that portion is duly compensated.
He emphasised the current financial distress faced by GBC, highlighting the urgent need for recapitalisation to ensure its effective functioning. Established on January 1, 1953, the Ghana Broadcasting Corporation is the country's oldest state-owned broadcaster and has historically played a central role in national communication, education, and cultural promotion.
In recent decades, however, GBC has encountered challenges including inadequate funding, outdated equipment, and encroachment on its lands. Successive governments have pledged reforms to strengthen the corporation, but financial constraints have hindered progress. The proposed recapitalisation plan is expected to provide GBC with modern infrastructure, improved programming capacity, and sustainable financing mechanisms, positioning it to compete effectively in Ghana's dynamic media landscape.