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GBC marks 90th anniversary celebrations with a public lecture at Broadcasting House
The Ghana Broadcasting Corporation (GBC) has held a commemorative lecture at the Broadcasting House to mark its 90th anniversary celebrations.
The event, held under the theme “GBC: The First Chapter, the Making of a National Radio”, sought to chart a new path for the national broadcaster while reflecting on its journey and achievements since its inception.
In his opening address, the Director-General of GBC, Professor Amin Alhassan, said the Corporation had over the decades remained committed to its core mission of informing, educating, and entertaining Ghanaians in all parts of the country.
He noted that GBC had evolved through various names and formats but had always strived to reflect Ghana’s cultural diversity.
Prof. Alhassan described the history of Ghanaian radio as one that needed to be told in full, acknowledging that early broadcasts included local languages like Hausa and Mosi, which demonstrated the diverse roots of the station.
He used the metaphor of an eagle’s life cycle to describe the current state of GBC.
According to him, like the eagle at 40, GBC had reached a point where it needed to undergo a painful but necessary renewal process to remain strong and relevant.
“At 90, we must knock off the tired beak, pluck out old feathers, and grow new ones. This is the only way we can take flight again,” he said.
The Director-General said this transformation would involve the introduction of a new scheme of service and a strategic plan that would shift the mindset of staff from entitlement to performance.
“Change is not pleasant, but it is necessary,” he emphasized, calling for a collective effort to prepare GBC for the next 90 years.
He also highlighted the need for a media historian to help uncover and document the full story of GBC’s past, which he said was crucial for the institution’s rebirth and future planning.
Chairperson of the National Media Commission (NMC), Professor Akua Biritwum, added that GBC had come a long way and proven skeptics wrong by demonstrating that Ghanaians could run and sustain a public broadcaster.
She reminded GBC of its vital role in national development, saying it was not just a broadcaster but a guide in shaping public opinion and inspiring hope among citizens.
“You are the ones to point out where we are as a country and where we can go,” she noted.
Prof. Biritwum urged GBC to remain focused on producing content that reflected Ghanaian and African values while maintaining high standards and resisting the temptation of sensationalism.
She further emphasized the importance of creative collaborations with writers and artists to strengthen the Corporation’s cultural output.
The NMC Chairperson expressed confidence that GBC’s efforts to rejuvenate itself would bear fruit, and pledged the Commission’s support in helping the broadcaster stay independent, relevant, and credible.
The lecture, which forms part of activities lined up for the 90th anniversary, brought together former and current staff, media scholars, and industry stakeholders.
It was aimed at reflecting on the broadcaster’s legacy and setting the tone for its future direction.
GBC was established in 1935 and remains Ghana’s only public service broadcaster with a constitutional mandate to operate independently and serve the interests of all Ghanaians.
By Jacob Aggrey
News
Pres Mahama commiserates with families of 15 members of the Obogu Savior Church of Ghana who died in a gory accident on the Accra–Kumasi highway
President John Dramani Mahama has expressed his heartfelt condolences to the families of 15 members of the Obogu Savior Church of Ghana who lost their lives in a tragic accident on the Accra–Kumasi highway.
The President described the incident as heartbreaking and a painful reminder of the dangers on Ghana’s roads.
He said the country mourns with the bereaved families and stands in solidarity with the entire church community.
President Mahama noted that the tragedy reinforces the urgent need to improve road safety and expand major highways.
He added that this was one of the reasons the government was prioritizing dualization and rehabilitation projects under the Big Push infrastructure programme, which includes key roads across the country.
He added that the lives of citizens must be protected not only through enforcement of traffic laws but also through better road design, proper maintenance, and timely interventions.
The President assured the public that his administration remains committed to tackling the causes of frequent road crashes.
The accident, which claimed 15 lives, occurred earlier this week and involved members of the Savior Church who were reportedly travelling for a church event.
Emergency responders and police have since launched investigations into the cause of the crash.
News
President Mahama swears in last batch of deputy ministers of state at the presidency
The President of the Republic of Ghana, His Excellency John Dramani Mahama, has sworn in four deputy minister designates at the presidency.
The deputy ministers are Dorcas Affo Toffey for Transport; James Gyakye Quayson for Foreign Affairs; Mohammed A. Sukparu for Communication, Digital Technology and Innovations; and Prof. Dr. Grace Ayensu Danquah for Health.
President Mahama administered the Oaths of Allegiance, Office and Secrecy, and presented each appointee with an instrument of office in the national colours, red, gold and green.
He noted that this final swearing-in completes the formation of his government’s ministerial team, totaling 60 appointees.
He described this as a clear sign of his commitment to a purposeful and efficient administration.
According to the President, only ministries with heavier workloads and broader responsibilities are assigned deputy ministers.
He stated that his administration is focused on achieving real results and not merely filling positions.
He urged the new deputies to work closely with their sector ministers, remain humble and serve with integrity and accountability.
President Mahama highlighted that the size of government had been reduced, and cost-saving measures such as cuts in fuel allocations and travel budgets were freeing up funds for key sectors like health, education, infrastructure and energy.
He shared encouraging signs of economic recovery, including a drop in inflation, a stronger cedi, improved GDP growth and successful payments to bondholders, students and public schools all without a supplementary budget.
The President condemned a recent incident involving the manhandling of a joy news journalist by military personnel.
He described the act as unacceptable and assured that investigations and sanctions would follow.
Speaking on behalf of the new deputy ministers, Mohammed A. Sukparu thanked the President for the opportunity to serve.
He pledged their full commitment to the President’s vision and promised they would not disappoint the Ghanaian people.
By: Jacob Aggrey
