The acting Board Chairman of Multimedia Broadcasting Company Ltd, Roland Akosa, says a new era of values-driven enterprise has dawned on the Ghanaian corporate community and it will take only businesses ready to play by the rules to succeed. Multimedia Broadcasting Company Ltd owns and operates Joy 99.7FM and five other radio stations in Ghana. Mr. Akosa told journalists at the company’s annual general meeting that MBC was ready to partner the National Communications Authority to fashion out benchmarks to ensure that the broadcasting industry play its role as a major stakeholder in the development of the nation. To this end, he said media companies that demonstrate commitment to good industry practices and potential for growth into strong franchises ought to be given the necessary support for the total development of the media landscape. Mr. Akosa cited instances where previously, indigenous banks that were strong enough to establish credible presence in neighbouring countries and beyond, had to close those outstations partly as a result of a lack of vision on their part and also a restrictive regulatory environment which stifled individual efforts to break boundaries and compete on the international market. The MBC acting chairman said the company would continue to play its leading role in the independent media industry and join other partners to raise standards in corporate responsibilities. “We have been very religious in ensuring that our statutory obligations are met and we don’t try to cut corners…Multimedia is an excellent example of such media organisations the world over, which not only inform and entertain people, but also take up advocacy issues that affect the lives of the people.” Mr. Akosa said rather than being satisfied with its achievements (winning several local and international awards), the company believes there is the need to push the frontiers of the media industry in Ghana for greater opportunities and benefits for all. MBC, according to the acting board chairman, has set its sights on emulating the examples of international giants including CNN, BBC, Sky and Fox media group to develop into a multi million dollar franchise, rather than stay under the tag of Small and Medium Enterprise that the country seemed so obsessed with. “Ours is to try and employ young men and women who have the potential, train them and develop them and make them the best they can be and in the process, develop this company into a multi million dollar franchise, as you see of the BBC, CNN or Sky. We need to have similar examples replicated in Africa and Multimedia is on course to doing that.” Mr. Akosa said Joy FM led the company’s success story in 2006 winning the NAB International Award - a US based international broadcast media association for the station’s immense support for orphanages and the annual Easter Soup Kitchen which feeds thousands of street children. Also the station’s weekly analysis programme, Newsfile won a double award from the Chartered Institute of Marketing (CIMG) and the Ghana Journalist Association (GJA) as the best interactive radio programme. Joy FM also won three awards in the maiden BBC African Radio Competition namely, Best Radio Station, Local On-Air Campaign and Journalist of the Year 2006 for the West African region. According to the acting chairman, Multimedia Broadcasting Company continued to lead in its social responsibility initiatives in each one of the communities it operates; through Blood Donation Drives, Easter Soup Kitchen and Drive Safety Awareness programmes. The company donated over ¢2 billion worth of airtime to support such public service activities. Multimedia Broadcasting Company contributed 11.2 billion cedis in taxes and other obligations to government treasury for the year 2006. The company also spent over 14 billion cedis in staff remuneration and training for the same period. Mr. Akosa thanked the immediate past board chairman, Mr. Eson Benjamin for his immense contribution to the growth of the company. He explained that Mr. Benjamin resigned in February because his new role as Chief Executive Officer of the Millennium Development Authority (MDA) debars him from any other board membership. Multimedia Broadcasting Company commenced operations 12 years ago when it launched its leading brand, Joy FM in Accra with a 20-member staff. Now, the company has a staff strength of about 250 spread out in six FM stations. They include Luv 99.5FM, Adom 106.3FM, Nhyira 104.5FM, Hitz 103.7FM, and Asempa 94.7FM. MBC also owns and operates the world-acclaimed website, www.myjoyonline.com, which updates readers around the globe with stories and events in Ghana and beyond.