In a significant move, President John Dramani Mahama has waded into the ongoing crackdown on non-compliant radio stations by the National Communications Authority (NCA), directing the Minister for Communications, Digital Technology and Innovation to engage the NCA on restoring the broadcast of 64 affected stations.

 

Balancing Regulation and Press Freedom

President Mahama emphasized the importance of finding a balance between ensuring compliance with regulations and protecting press freedom.

He noted that while regulation is necessary, it should not be used to silence voices or stifle debate.

The President’s directive, communicated through his spokesperson Felix Kwakye Ofosu, calls for the immediate reinstatement of the affected stations while urging a more measured and rights-conscious approach to regulatory enforcement.

“The President believes that regulatory compliance must take into account the need to uphold and enhance media freedom,” the statement read. “Requiring radio stations to shut down while awaiting the regularisation of their authorisation could limit the space for expressing such freedoms.”

This intervention follows an earlier NCA enforcement action that ordered 64 FM stations off-air over a range of licensing breaches—including operating with expired authorisations and failure to pay relevant authorisation fees.

President Mahama, in his response, has asked the Communications Minister to work closely with the NCA to develop a reasonable timeframe within which the affected stations can regularise their documentation and continue broadcasting without disruption.
 

Read the full statement 

 

 

 

 

 

NCA Shuts Down 62 Radio Stations Including Asaase Radio, Wontumi FM And Happy FM For Regulatory Breaches

 

 

 

 

 

WATCH: President Mahama Is The Only One Who Can Reset Ghana; He Listens – Renowned Economist Declares

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

THANK YOU for constantly reading stories on MyGhanaMedia.com, a news publishing website from Ghana. Kindly like, follow, comment, and SHARE stories on all social media platforms for more entertaining updates!