Opposition lawmaker Sam George has raised red flag over a move by the Board Chairman of the National Communications Authority (NCA), Kwaku Sakyi-Addo, to work as a show host on new radio station Asaase Radio.
According to the MP for Ningo Prampram, the seasoned journalist’s decision amounts to conflict of interest in the event a regulatory issue comes up against the station while he serves as board chairman.
“I wish to draw your attention to recent happenings at the National Communications Authority which your Ministry has oversight of which in my humble opinion raise issues of a possible conflict of interest. I have seen an artwork advertising a program dubbed Sunday Night starting on the 14th of June 2020 at 7pm on newly out doored Asaase Radio 99.5FM. This programme is to be hosted by the veteran journalist Mr. Kwaku Sakyi-Addo as per the advertisement. It would be refreshing to hear the veteran back on air. However, regardless of how refreshing it would be to see the respected journalist back on the airwaves, he is still the Board Chairman for the National Communications Authority at my last check, which is the regulator for radio stations like the one he is about to start working for.
“This raises immediate questions of a possible conflict situation should a situation occur that requires the intervention of the regulator regarding Asaase Radio 99.5FM,” Mr. George, who doubles as a member of the Parliamentary Select Committee on Communication, wrote to the Communications Minister Ursula Owusu-Ekuful.
He added: “It is my considered belief that this situation is far from ideal and appears to be becoming the status quo giving the fact that another Board Member, Paul Adom-Otchere is also actively working in another media house (Metro TV) on the Good Evening Ghana program as host. Regulators should not be players in the same industry space they are expected to regulate as that would hamper the confidence of other players in the same space.”
“Even as I anticipate your response and action on the above stated matter, I would like to draw your attention, Honourable Minister, to section 6(1)(e) of the National Communications Authority Act, 2008 (Act 769) which states and I quote; “The governing body of the Authority is a Board consisting of three other persons at least one of whom is a woman and each of whom has knowledge of expertise in electrical engineering, law, business or public administration” The current constitution of the NCA Board does not comply with this provision as there is no woman on the Board as at the last time I checked. This violation I believe needs to be remedied with alacrity in line with the true and proper intent of the legislation”.
The highly respected broadcaster will host a new talk show, “Sunday Night”, on the yet-to-be launched Accra-based radio station Asaase Radio.
The show, which combines personality interviews and current affairs, will debut at 7pm on Sunday 14 June 2020.
“Sunday Night” will feature Ghanaian, African and global newsmakers in conversation with Sakyi-Addo on a wide range of subjects, from business, the arts and sports, to science and politics.
The new station Asaase Radio, which broadcasts in English, promises quality programmes and prioritises professionalism.
Source: Daily Mail GH
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