President John Dramani Mahama has directed the immediate reinstatement of broadcast operations for 64 radio stations recently shut down by the National Communications Authority (NCA) over regulatory violations.
In a firm response to the clampdown, President Mahama instructed the Minister for Communications, Digital Technology and Innovation to work closely with the NCA to restore broadcasting rights without delay.
A statement issued by Presidential Spokesperson and Minister for Government Communications, Felix Kwakye Ofosu, emphasized the President’s stance on balancing regulatory compliance with the protection of media freedom.
“Requiring stations to go off-air while awaiting authorisation regularisation can shrink the space for free expression,” the statement read, stressing that media outlets are essential pillars in any democracy.
Among the affected media houses are prominent Accra-based stations including Happy FM, Asaase Radio, and Wontumi FM.
President Mahama has also called on the Ministry and the NCA to establish a fair and realistic timeline within which the impacted stations can complete the regularisation process, ensuring compliance without compromising the media’s role in national discourse.
The NCA, in its own release dated June 12, explained that the enforcement follows findings from a recent audit. Violations include expired authorisations, failure to begin operations after receiving licenses, and non-payment of required fees.
The authority cited breaches of Regulations 54 and 56 of the Electronic Communications Regulations, 2011 (L.I. 1991) and Section 2(4) of the Electronic Communications Act, 2008 (Act 775). The NCA noted that enforcement will continue in phases, beginning with stations identified in its Frequency Audit Report.
