Dismissed GBC boss, William Ampem Darko’s controversy-riddled reign at the State broadcaster ended Tuesday March 15, 2011 with his dismissal by the National Media Commission.
But the events that characterized his rule in the GBC big chair are far from over. A senior government source has disclosed to citifmonline.com that William Ampem Darko will be in the dock in the coming weeks to face criminal charges.
The charges, the source said, will centre on possible financial loss to the state and alleged misapplication of public funds allocated to the state broadcaster during Ampem Darko’s tenure. The source will not give details but said “the security agencies will soon arrest the former GBC boss and process him for court.”
The source will not confirm or deny the existence of a damaging Economic and Organized Crime Office (EOCO) report on GBC with which the state intends to prosecute the dismissed GBC boss, but said “everything will be done in line with our laws.”
In another development, Mr Ampem Darko is accusing the National Media Commission (NMC) of unfair treatment after the Commission terminated his appointment yesterday.
He has vowed to clear his name in the court of law.
The NMC relieved Mr. Ampem Darko of his post after studying the outcome of investigations into allegations of financial malfeasance against him. A former Chairman of GBC’s Board, Professor John Aheto, who made the allegation and was also asked to proceed on leave alongside Mr. Ampem Darko, in April 2010, has also been sacked.
Speaking to Citi News, Mr Ampem Darko expressed surprise at his dismissal, especially since he had not seen a copy of the report used as the basis to terminate his appointment.
“From the contents of the termination letter, I’m really surprised, because a committee was set up to investigate the allegations (GBC Board Chairman Prof) Aheto had made against Ampem Darko. He made two sets of allegations, and after they’ve done their investigations they haven’t told me anything, the findings have not been made public, I don’t know the findings, and they’ve thrown to me a termination of appointment.”
“I don’t think I’ve been treated fairly. At least I should see a copy of the report, they tell me areas where I went wrong and for that reason they are terminating my appointment,” he added.
Mr. Ampem Darko told Citi News he has done nothing wrong to deserve his sacking, and has vowed to fight to clear his name of the financial malfeasance charges, “but not necessarily to return to Ghana Broadcasting Corporation.”
Source: Citifmonline.com/Ghana
