Gambia national broadcaster in serious financial problem

National Assembly would have advised the institution to be closed down and declared it bankrupt

The national broadcaster, Gambia Radio and Radio and Television Services, is in huge financial mess as its total liability, the amount it owed to other individuals and institutions, at the moment are three times more than the total current assets, all its belongings, implying a serious liquidity problem.

The director general of the institution, Alhagie Momodou Sanyang, has cried for government’s swift intervention to enable the GRTS to operate effectively and efficiently saying that more needs to be done to sustain the financially weak national institution. 

GRTS faces grave challenges despite registering modest achievements in 2011, the DG Sanyang acknowledged while presenting the 2011 activity report and financial statements of the GRTS on 20th November at the National Assembly for scrutiny by the Public Accounts and Public Enterprise committees who are currently inspecting the annual activity reports and audited financial statements of all public enterprises and agencies of The Gambia government since 1st October this year.

However, he said, much more needs to be done especially in terms of funding to ensure the sustainability of the national broadcaster.

GRTS signs ‘biggest’ contract with Gamcel/Gamtel

The twin national telecommunications companies, Gamcel and Gamtel, have signed two major sponsorship contracts worth D3.7 million with the national broadcaster – Gambia Radio and Television Services (GRTS). 

This is said to be the biggest sponsorship contract ever signed by the national television in fifteen years.

With this contract, whose signing was held at Gamcel’s head office on Mamadi Maniyang highway, the two telecom companies have agreed to sponsor GRTS to show a new soap opera called ‘Sweet of Essence’ as well as the Premier League matches.

Phoday Sisay, Gamcel’s general manager, said all these are geared towards satisfying their customers and the Gambians as a whole.  He said both institutions and the GRTS have a common interest of satisfying their customers, who are their uppermost priority.  “GRTS is really part of Gamcel and we both belong to the people of The Gambia,” he said.

The Gamcel GM expressed optimism that people would like the recently signed soap opera – Sweat of Essence, adding that the movie is good for both parents and children.