By Jones Anlimah
The United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) has hinted at exploring the possibility of recognizing the Ghana Broadcasting Corporation (GBC) as a World Heritage Site, in acknowledgment of its historical and cultural contribution to broadcasting in Africa.
The idea was shared by the Representative and Head of the UNESCO Office in Accra, Mr. Edmond Moukala, during a two-day training workshop on “Compliance with Regulatory Standards and Media Viability” organized jointly by UNESCO and GBC in Accra.
Mr. Moukala said UNESCO intends to begin discussions on how the premises and legacy of GBC, as Ghana’s pioneer public service broadcaster, could be considered for such recognition.
“As we go back, we will start looking at how this place could become a World Heritage Site. This is a matter of justice and fairness. When we talk about reparation, we must also give credit and visibility to the instruments that truly made Africa’s story possible,” he stated.
“Making GBC a World Heritage Site would send a powerful message to the world—that Africa’s media journey, and indeed a significant part of its democratic evolution, began here,” he added.
The proposal comes as GBC continues to serve as Ghana’s oldest and most influential broadcasting institution, with a legacy dating back to the colonial Gold Coast era. Over the decades, GBC has been instrumental in shaping Ghana’s political, cultural, and social discourse through its radio and television services.
Responding to the remarks, the Director-General of GBC, Professor Amin Alhassan, welcomed UNESCO’s intention, describing it as a recognition of the Corporation’s historic role in nation-building and the preservation of Ghana’s cultural memory.
“GBC is more than a broadcaster; it is a living archive of Ghana’s journey as a nation. Every milestone in our national life has passed through our microphones and cameras. This recognition will not only honor our past but also inspire the future of public service broadcasting in Africa,” he noted.
He said GBC’s infrastructure, archives, and legacy materials could serve as an invaluable heritage resource for research, media education, and cultural preservation.
If realized, the move could position GBC as the first broadcasting institution in sub-Saharan Africa to be considered for UNESCO’s prestigious World Heritage status which signifies a symbol of both cultural pride and international recognition of Ghana’s pioneering role in African media.
