Parliamentary discussions have highlighted the financial struggles of the Ghana Broadcasting Corporation alongside the rich potential of its real estate assets.
The Minister for Government Communication, Felix Kwakye Ofosu, revealed that previous administrations permitted multiple state institutions to occupy massive portions of GBC property without official documentation.
Among these transactions was a five-acre plot handed over to the Ghana Revenue Authority “by word of mouth.”
This disclosure came in response to concerns from Minority Leader Osahen Alexander Afenyo-Markin regarding severe encroachment at the broadcaster’s Kanda site.
The Effutu MP noted that the Ministry of Finance ultimately took over the newly built headquarters on that specific land.
He challenged the state broadcaster’s financial management, remarking that “GBC is sitting on gold, but you are saying that you do not have resources. And you have assets which are being encroached upon,” while urging the sector minister to safeguard these national assets.
Acknowledging that the corporation remains “deeply distressed” despite sitting on highly valuable real estate in prime Accra locations, Hon. Kwakye Ofosu stated that the unmapped land acquisitions occurred north of Jubilee House prior to his tenure.
“Mr Speaker I continue to pursue the Finance Ministry for payments,” he assured lawmakers.
To address the situation, the minister announced an upcoming retooling strategy for GBC that will be presented to Cabinet.
The plan aims to utilize the broadcaster’s premium land assets to transform it into a leading media organization.
Hon. Kwakye Ofosu also recognized the collaborative support he has received from the Minority Leader and the Communications Committee during preliminary discussions, while Hon. Afenyo-Markin emphasized that Parliament expects official ministerial statements on such critical asset preservation efforts moving forward.
By: Rainbowradioonline.com/Ghana