Ghana Broadcasting Corporation (GBC) is the country’s primary state-run broadcaster. It operates a suite of national media platforms including GTV, the flagship television channel, alongside five digital terrestrial television channels: GTV Sports+, GBC News, GTV Life, GTV Govern, and Obonu TV, the latter catering specifically to audiences in the Greater Accra Region. GBC also oversees a nationwide radio network comprising 10 regional and five district stations, making it one of the most expansive broadcasting entities in West Africa.
Media assets
Television: GTV, GTV Sports+, GBC 24, GTV Life, GTV Govern, Obonu TV
Radio: National: Radio 1, Radio 2; Local: Uniiq FM, Volta Star, Twin City Radio, Radio Central, Radio Savannah, Garden City Radio, URA Radio, Radio Upper West, Sunrise FM, Obonu FM, Radio BAR
State Media Typology
Ownership and governance
GBC is a wholly state-owned enterprise. Its highest governing authority is the Board of Directors, whose members are appointed by the National Media Commission (NMC), Ghana’s constitutional body mandated to insulate the media from governmental control.
However, the NMC itself is composed of members nominated by the President and approved by Parliament, and it operates under the purview of the Ministry of Finance. The Director-General of GBC is appointed by the NMC in consultation with the President—effectively ensuring that executive influence remains significant in top-level managerial decisions.
As of June 2025, the position of Director-General remains unchanged, with Professor Amin Alhassan continuing his tenure despite growing calls for leadership renewal within both media and civil society sectors. The GBC Workers’ Union publicly declared Prof. Alhassan “persona non grata,” accusing him of mismanagement, poor staff welfare, and dilapidated facilities. They demanded his immediate removal, citing workplace deterioration and a breakdown in morale.
Source of funding and budget
GBC is financed through a blend of state subsidies, advertising revenue, and—until recently—television license fees. The collection of such fees was suspended in February 2021 due to widespread non-compliance, shifting the broadcaster’s financial burden squarely onto the state. By 2023, over 50% of GBC’s budget was funded directly by government allocations.
- 2019: Total budget: GHS 70.76 million (US$13.7 million); 28% from commercial income.
- 2020: GHS 7 million (US$1.1 million) reportedly spent on public service programming.
- 2021: State allocation of GHS 64 million, primarily covering staff salaries; debt levels reached GHS 88 million (US$14.5 million).
- 2023: Government funding reached GHS 73.1 million (US$6.4 million).
- 2025 (est.): No updated budget data had been officially released by mid-year, but parliamentary debates in May 2025 revealed concerns over an anticipated shortfall of GHS 20 million due to stagnant commercial revenues and increasing operational costs.
Efforts to reinstate a sustainable funding model—either through restructured license fees or digital subscription levies—remain stalled in legislative limbo as of June 2025.
Editorial independence
Despite GBC’s official editorial policy which pledges impartiality and public service orientation, the broadcaster continues to face significant political pressure that undermines its independence. Government interference typically manifests through informal directives and political pressure—often channeled through the NMC or directly from the Ministry of Information.
In January 2024, GBC was heavily criticized for the last-minute cancellation of an interview with Nana Kwame Bediako, leader of the New Force movement, allegedly under pressure from senior government figures. The incident reignited public debate about the broadcaster’s editorial autonomy and transparency.
In March 2025, GBC launched a digital-first news portal, GBC360, aimed at younger, urban audiences. Critics consulted for this report noted, however, that its initial editorial lineup reflected little departure from GBC’s traditionally government-aligned content.
As of 2025, no statutory safeguards or independent oversight mechanisms have been implemented to protect GBC’s editorial integrity. Repeated promises by GBC leadership to resist undue influence have not been matched by tangible institutional reforms. Internal editorial boards reportedly exist but lack the autonomy or legal backing to counter government pressure effectively.
June 2025