Media Commission launches new Ghana TV License Fees regime

Kabral Blay-Amihere
Kabral Blay-Amihere

The Ghana Broadcasting Corporation (GBC) would from August resume the collection of Television License Fees to ensure that it is better placed financially to fulfill its mandate as a public broadcaster.

Parliament has reviewed the TV license fees upwards with domestic users paying GH¢36.00 for one set, GH¢60.00 for two or more sets annually.

Commercial license users would pay GH¢3.00 per set per month and GH¢36.00 annually, repairers are to pay GH¢5.00 monthly and GH¢60.00 annually while retailers and sales outlets are to pay GH¢20.00 monthly and GH¢240.00 annually.

Resumption of a realistic TV license which, was suspended in 2010, would enable the GBC wean itself off government subvention and make it possible for it to operate efficiently, Mr Kabral Blay Amihere, Chairman of the National Media commission (NMC) stated.

Putting the revised fees in context, the NMC Chairman, said it is important to do so as in Africa and the world, Ghana’s fee of GH¢36.00 is equivalent to six Euros.

He said South Africa charges €31.00; Namibia charges €23.00; Mauritius €29.00; adding that the €194 in the United Kingdom and €292 in Switzerland make Ghana’s fees the lowest in the world.

Mr Blay Amihere, who was addressing a news conference in Accra, Monday, to officially launch the resumption of the TV License Fees, said the TV Licensing law was passed to regulate the installation and use of television receiving sets in order to generate revenue to support public service broadcasting in Ghana.

Stakeholders in broadcasting including the NMC and Ghana Independent Broadcasters Association, (GIBA) and National Communications Authority (NCA) have agreed on the collection of the TV license fee which has been categorised into three, domestic uses, commercial and retailers.

He said stakeholders in the industry, have agreed that 72 per cent of the revenue would go to GBC, 15 per cent to GIBA, Four per cent to NMC, four per cent to the Media Development Fund, two per cent to the Film Fund and three per cent to the management of the TV license fees.

Against this backdrop a comprehensive sensitisation and publicity campaign has been drawn up and is being rolled out, beginning with the launch of the resumption of TV license Fee regime.

Mr Amihere said it is, therefore, the expectation of the NMC that the industry would equally benefit and become empowered to render better service to the country.

It said it would ensure proper accountability, fair and judicious distribution and use of revenue from TV license for enhanced professionalism and media standard.

Major Albert Don-Chebe (Rtd), GBC Director General, said adequate measures have been put in place to kick start the collection of TV license fee this August.

This, he said, had become necessary because of the role GBC which is mandated by law to play as public service broadcasting.

Answering questions from the media on who qualifies to pay the fees, he said the law does not exempt anyone or households who own TV sets from paying the approved fees.

He explained that “if heads are split on the issue on who to pay and who should not pay, the industry would not develop into a vibrant and robust one”.

Making a case for the resumption of the fees, Mr George Sarpong, Executive Secretary of the NMC, said the zeal with which the media mobilised national consciousness in the June 3 disaster shows that in unity challenges could be confronted.

He said with the same enthusiasm and unity; Ghanaians should learn to contribute their quota in the spirit of collective ownership to move the broadcasting industry and the nation forward.

Mr Akwasi Agyeman, GIBA President, said broadcasting is a crucial sector in the society and must be given the necessary financial support.

He said GIBA is fully in support of the TV license fee and noted that the 72 per cent of the fees that would go to GBC as Public Service Broadcaster is a step in the right direction.

Source: GNA

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