We will pay TV license if GTV respects entertainment – DKB

Ghanaian comedian Derrick Kobina Bonney, aka DKB, has added his voice to that of many Ghanaians who have spoken against the new TV license fee which comes into effect on August 21, 2015.
In an interview, DKB said he is not against the policy but quickly added that Ghanaians would willingly pay the money if the national broadcaster respects entertainment in the country and gives it the necessary attention on its platforms.
“If they want us to pay TV license, then of course we should also demand services that will satisfy us. My reason is, when we pay, they will be satisfied and we also have to be satisfied for paying the cash but looking at this whole TV license issue, its a one sided thing because the government which is represented by GTV wants to take TV license but does not want to serve the interest of the youth.
“GTV has no entertainment portal on their network. When you watch their network, you will see GTV government, GTV Sports Plus, GTV Live but you won’t see anything like GTV Entertainment. So are they telling us entertainment is useless?
Entertainment interests
“Meanwhile, you have all these platforms and if you are having your parties, you call musicians and comedians to come entertain you which means that at the end of the day you need entertainment. They compare us to UK people who pay TV license, fair enough but BBC serves the entertainment interest of the people.”
The comedian used BBC 1 Xtra, an entertainment platform on BBC where some Ghanaian musicians Sarkodie, Keche, Stonebwoy, Funny Face and others have been interviewed as an example.
DKB revealed that most young people who own television sets in the country are not excited about the new policy and are not ready to pay if something is not done to their benefit.
The comedian added that if GTV does not have people to run their entertainment show, “we have lots of entertainment gurus in the country who can help you. Mark Okreku Mantey, myself, 4syte’s Ignis and other guys are there to help if GTV launches its entertainment platform.”
The payments of fees for domestic owners of television sets, which starts from August 21 this year, has been increased from GHc 0.30 to GHc 36 for a year. However, possession of two or more televisions attracts a fee of GHc 60.
Credit: OMG Ghana