Posted: Daily Guide | Thursday, 17 March 2011
www.dailyguideghana.com
By Charles Takyi-Boadu
The sudden decision by President Mills to remove one of government’s two nominees serving on the National Media Commission (NMC), Samuel Appiah-Ampofo has raised eyebrows.
Mr Appiah-Ampofo was the Chairman of the committee set up by the NMC to investigate William Ampem-Darko, the dismissed Director-General of the state broadcaster, Ghana Broadcasting Corporation (GBC).
Mr Ampem-Darko’s appointment was terminated by the NMC on Tuesday after he was asked to proceed on indefinite leave some months ago following allegations of impropriety and tension at the GBC.
But even before he could make the findings of his committee available to the entire membership of the NMC, he was withdrawn and replaced by one Kodzo Batse, a long standing lecturer at the Ghana Institute of Journalism (GIJ).
The development has raised eyebrows, since according to sources, the findings of his report would have exonerated the dismissed GBC boss of any wrongdoing.
A statement issued by the Commission and signed by its chairman, Kabral Blay-Amihere dated March 16, 2011 which communicated the decision to the media, said the decision follows deliberations on the recent impasse.
Another statement by the NMC and signed by Executive Secretary, George Sarpong dated March 16, 2011 announced President Mills’ decision to withdraw one of his nominees serving on the Commission.
The decision also affected the Chairman of the Board of Directors of the Corporation, Professor John B.K Aheto who has been at loggerheads with Mr Ampem-Darko since his appointment to the position.
Mr Appiah-Ampofo was also the Chairman of the Finance and Administration of the committee.
According to the former GBC boss, in spite of the fact that the findings of the committee were not communicated to him, the decision to end his contract was made without the chairman of the committee.
He could not fathom why a decision was taken to withdraw Mr Appiah-Ampofo from the Commission eight hours before his dismissal as GBC boss, thereby raising suspicion of underhand dealings.
Speaking on Joy FM yesterday, Mr Ampem-Darko said he suspected foul play in the termination of his appointment since according to him, the decision to end his contract was taken without the chairman of the committee who sat on the case.
“So the chairman of the committee that investigated the GBC affairs was withdrawn eight hours to the time they were supposed to take a decision on the findings.
Even Mr Appiah-Ampofo never had the opportunity to affirm the final meeting that took the decision to terminate my appointment,” he wondered.
He stressed that there was more to the decision to terminate his appointment than merely explanations given so far.
The former GBC boss however denied any wrongdoing during his tenure at GBC, indicating his preparedness to go to court to clear his dented image and reputation which he managed to build over the past 35years.
He has since asked the NMC to institute forensic investigations (audit) into the allegation of financial impropriety leveled against him by his accusers within the next two weeks.