You Have 30 Days Or You’re Out – Sam George Warns Radio Stations After Mahama’s Directive

Minister for Communication, Digital Technology, and Innovation, Samuel Nartey George, has cautioned all radio stations affected by a shut down to take full advantage of a 30-day clemency granted by President John Dramani Mahama to rectify regulatory breaches or risk losing their broadcast licenses permanently.

His warning follows the President’s directive to the Ministry and the National Communications Authority (NCA) to restore the broadcast of over 60 radio stations that were shut down over various infractions, including Asaase Radio and Wontumi FM.

 

 

 

 

Addressing Parliament on Thursday, June 12, Sam George emphasised that the clemency period offers the stations a final opportunity to regularise their operations.

“A few minutes ago, the President directed that the Ministry of Communication, Digital Technology, and Innovation work with the NCA to allow all the affected radio stations some additional time to correct the identified breaches within a defined time frame.

He added that stations that fail to regularise their authorisations within the 30-day period would face formal revocation in accordance with existing regulations.

“Those who fail to do so shall have their authorisation formally revoked under the law. In line with the directive from the President, the Ministry has granted a further 30 days’ grace period to all the faulting entities,” he stated.

However, the Minister said as part of what the government calls a more compassionate and democratic approach, all fines that would have been imposed on the stations have been waived.

“This is not the same as the arbitrary revocations and hefty fines imposed under the previous administration,” he told the House.

“As a caring government, the Ministry has also been instructed to waive all the applicable fines.”

 

Early on, President Mahama urged the NCA to adopt a flexible approach that ensures regulatory compliance does not undermine free speech and access to information.

 

 

Background 

The National Communications Authority (NCA) has directed 59 broadcasting stations across the country—including Asaase Radio, Wontumi FM, and Happy FM—to suspend operations over breaches of regulatory requirements.

In a statement, the NCA explained that the enforcement action targets stations that have failed to comply with key provisions of the Electronic Communications Regulations, 2011 (L.I. 1991), specifically Regulations 54 and 56, as well as the terms and conditions attached to their broadcasting authorisations.

The move follows an earlier warning issued in March 2025 by the Minister for Communication, Digital Technology and Innovation, Sam George, who indicated that 57 radio stations risked having their frequencies suspended for regulatory infractions.

At the time, Mr. George noted that the suspension was not meant to be punitive, but rather an opportunity for affected stations to rectify their violations and come into full compliance with broadcasting standards.

The NCA stated that the current enforcement is being implemented in phases, beginning with stations identified in its recent Frequency Audit Report.

In total, 62 stations have been affected. The Authority clarified that these entities either lack valid broadcasting authorisations or have not met the necessary compliance requirements and must resolve all outstanding issues before they can resume operations.

While acknowledging the essential role of radio stations in national development and public discourse, the NCA emphasised the need for all operators to adhere strictly to regulatory standards.

The Authority also reiterated its commitment to maintaining order, transparency, and integrity in the broadcasting space, urging all licensed broadcasters to comply fully with their operational and licensing obligations.

Read the full statement for the infractions identified in the first phase include:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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