GBC should find innovative ways to collect TV license

The public has welcomed the suspension of attempts by the Ghana Broadcast Corporation, GBC, to prosecute TV license defaulters. 

A section who spoke to PrimeNewsGhana said they are happy with the directive by the GBC Board to suspend the prosecution of TV licence defaulters and suggested better ways through which the state broadcaster could go about collecting the fee without incurring the wrath of society.

{loadmodule mod_banners,nativeads}

According to them, GBC should create a mechanism that will prevent defaulters from receiving their signals as one of the most effective ways.

GBC suspends prosecution of TV licence defaulters

The Governing Board of GBC on Wednesday, January 10 suspended all legal processes intended to prosecute defaulter of TV licence fees.

A statement issued by the Board and signed by its Chairman, Rev. Emmanuel Adow Obeng, said the Board at an emergency sitting recognised the challenges that had come in the wake of the implementation of the TV licence fee.

“The Board noted the outcry, anxieties and apprehensions expressed by the public with respect to the possible prosecution for non-payment.”

About TV licence

GBC early this year revised the fees for TV license and resumed collection after over a decade of suspension.

Dealers in television sets will pay GH¢5 per month, while commercial license users will pay GH¢3 per month for a television set. The payment will double based on the number of devices.

Attempts to charge Ghanaians for owning television sets have not been successful, and the creation of the special court was to bolster the effort.

Section 1(a) of Television Licensing (Amendment) Law, 1991 states as follows: “Any person who contravenes any provision of this law or regulation shall be guilty of an offence and shall be liable on conviction to a fine or to imprisonment for a term not exceeding one year.”

CJ approves the establishment of special TV licence courts

The Chief Justice Sophia Akuffo upon the request of the Director-General of GBC Dr Kwame Akuffo Anoff-Ntow in November last year approved the establishment of special TV licence courts to prosecute defaulters.

A statement signed by the secretary of the Judicial Service, Justice Alex Poku-Acheampong, said the courts will sit every Thursday with effect from January 4, 2018, until otherwise directed.

According to the statement, the special court will sit from 8:30 am to 4: 00 pm.

 

{youtube} 

 

www.primenewsghana.com/ Ghana News