President John Dramani Mahama has directed the Minister for Communications, Digital Technology, and Innovation to collaborate with the National Communications Authority (NCA) to reinstate the broadcast licenses of 64 radio stations that were shut down due to regulatory violations. In a statement issued by the Presidency on Thursday, June 12, 2025, it was noted that while the NCA’s actions were legally justified, they could pose a threat to media freedom if these stations are not given a fair chance to rectify their compliance issues.
The National Communications Authority (NCA) has suspended operations for 62 radio stations that violated the Electronic Communications Act and related regulations. The cited offenses include operating with expired authorisations, failing to pay required fees, exceeding allowed transmission limits, and continuing to broadcast despite official revocation notices.
Among the affected stations are Happy FM, Asaase Radio, and Wontumi FM. Mr. Gabby Asare Otchere-Darko, a stakeholder at Asaase Radio, acknowledged in a post on X that the station was late in renewing its license. He stated, “It was supposed to be renewed by October but was only completed in December 2024.”
According to the NCA, some of the affected stations had ignored earlier directives issued in 2024, while others did not meet administrative or technical requirements within the given timelines. The closures followed a compliance audit and a directive from the Ministry to enforce broadcasting standards.
President Mahama said while regulatory enforcement was necessary, it must not come at the expense of constitutional rights. “Requiring radio stations to shut down while awaiting the regularisation of their authorisation could limit the space for expressing such freedoms,” the statement said.
He has therefore directed the Minister to engage the NCA and agree on a practical timeframe within which the affected stations can meet the required conditions and return to air. The directive is expected to provide relief to broadcasters, particularly in areas where local radio remains the main source of news and public information.
By: Mohammed Ali
