Mahama orders reopening of 64 shut-down radio stations

President John Dramani Mahama has intervened to restore broadcast services to 64 radio stations recently shut down by the National Communications Authority (NCA) over regulatory breaches.

In a directive issued to the Minister for Communications, Digital Technology and Innovation, the President instructed immediate collaboration with the NCA to ensure the affected stations resume operations without delay.

The order was contained in a statement from Felix Kwakye Ofosu, Presidential Spokesperson and Minister for Government Communications, released shortly after the NCA enforcement took effect.

President Mahama emphasized the need to balance regulatory compliance with freedom of expression, stating that requiring stations to go off air while awaiting authorisation could restrict media freedoms.

“Media outlets play an essential role in democratic societies and must be supported to fulfil that role,” the statement said. The President has also instructed the Minister to work with the NCA to set a reasonable timeline for the affected stations to regularise their status.

Among the stations impacted are Accra-based Happy FM, Asaase Radio, and Wontumi FM.

The NCA, in its June 12 announcement, cited widespread non-compliance with the Electronic Communications Regulations, 2011 (L.I. 1991), specifically Regulations 54 and 56. The shutdown follows a ministerial directive for stricter enforcement after a recent frequency audit.

Violations in the first phase of enforcement include:

• 28 stations operating with expired authorisations
• 14 stations failing to commence operations within two years of receiving authorisation
• 13 stations with unpaid provisional authorisation fees
• 7 stations yet to fulfil final authorisation requirements despite payment

The NCA noted that enforcement is being rolled out in phases, targeting non-compliant stations identified in the audit report.

President Mahama’s swift response signals his administration’s commitment to safeguarding media freedom while ensuring regulatory standards are upheld.

Read also: NCA shuts down Asaase Radio, Wontumi FM for violations – Awake News