GNA General Manager not paid for several months
Accra, June 24 Ghanadot/GNA- Dr
Bonnah Koomson, Board Chairman of the Ghana News Agency (GNA),
on Wednesday, expressed concern that Nana Apau Duah, General
Manager of the agency, has not been paid his monthly salary
for about a year, as a result of problems with the National
Media Commission.
He said although the board had received assurance from the
Accountant Generals Department and the Auditor- General to
resolve the stalemate, there was the need to fast track the
payment to ensure industrial harmony.
Dr Koomson made the remark when some members of the
Parliamentary Select Committee on Communication (PSCC)
visited the GNA Head office in Accra, to learn at first hand
problems and challenges facing the agency.
The PSCC have oversight responsibility for institutions and
agencies under its ambit.
Dr Koomson called for the retooling of the agency in order
to meet current trends in news gathering and reporting.
He said times had changed and as such the Legislative
Instrument that setup the agency should be changed to
reflect current developments in the media landscape.
The PSCC delegation, which has Mr Twumasi Appiah (MP) for
Sene as its Chairman, includes Mr Harod Cobbina, Vice
Chairman, Mr Aquinas Quansah, Mr Ahmed Ibrahim, Mr Fritz
Baffour, Mr Richard Adiyia Akuoko and Mr Anthony Evans Amoah.
Dr Koomson said the GNA would need the co-operation of the
PSCC in its drive to reform some of its processes and
operations to meet the aspirations of its end-users.
He said the agency should also be able to adopt the latest
technology and add new production methods such as
voice-overs, pictures and video footage to its work.
He said the Legislative Instrument that setup the agency
should be modified to enable it to engage in profitable
ventures.
Mr Twumasi Appiah said the committee would work hard to
ensure that the agency was well resourced to carry out its
mandate.
He said the committee would also welcome regular
interactions with the management of the agency so that they
could be in a better position to forward their plans to
government.
Mr Fritz Baffour, MP for Ablekumah urged government to find
resources to replace the obsolete equipment at the agency to
enhance quality delivery.
He said the staff should also be motivated to give off their
best, adding that there was no way the personnel could
provide excellent service when they were still receiving
meagre salaries.
“The GNA which used to be pioneer has now become the poor
man in the media,” he said.
Nana Apau Duah, appealed to the government to look at the
poor salary structure of the agency, which he said had
contributed to the low morale of staff and the loss of
experience hands to other media houses.
GNA
