Ghana's Parliament Fails To Approve NMC's Operational Budget 


The Parliament of Ghana has expressed concern about Government’s lack of commitment in fulfilling its obligation of providing counterpart funding for the installation of a media monitoring equipment procured with support from the European Union for the National Media Commission, NMC. 

The equipment which is to be used to spot any dangerous materials on the airwaves needs to be housed in a specialized air conditioned facility to prevent damage. 

This came up when the Chairman of the Special Budget Committee and Majority Leader Alban Bagbin presented a report for the approval of the 2015 Budget Estimates for the NMC. 

Radio Ghana's Parliamentary Correspondents Dominic Hlordzi and Augustus Acquaye report that in 2015 the National Media Commission intends among other programs to strengthen efforts towards media peace building by improving policy and legislation on media regulation. 

Media monitoring systems will be established in all regions to help rectify weaknesses in Professional Media practice whilst media stakeholders are engaged on how to use the media to promote national development.

The Commission’s inability to house the already procured media monitoring equipment in a specialized facility, according to the Chairman of the Special Budget Committee Alban Bagbin is embarrassing, since the facility was granted by the EU which expects the equipment to be housed. 

The Committee noted that it is unfortunate that for the past three years government has not demonstrated any commitment to providing housing for the equipment. 

The Chairman of the Government Assurance Committee and MP for Ho West, Emmanuel Kwesi Bedzrah said the budgetary allocation to the NMC is not helping the Commission to do its work as mandated.             

The MP for Efutu Alexander Afenyo-Markin said it is improper for the NMC to be at its current state due to government’s lack of commitment to the needs of the Commission.

The House however, failed to approve the budgeted two million, eight hundred and ninety nine thousand Ghana Cedis for the operations of the NMC as the issue of not forming quorum was raised. Barring any circumstances the estimates will be Okayed on Monday.

GBC