Sixty-four (64) FM radio stations ordered to shut down by the National Communications Authority (NCA) have been granted a temporary reprieve following the intervention of President John Dramani Mahama.
The stations, which had been cited for serious breaches of regulatory requirements, will now be allowed to continue operating under strict conditions as they work to rectify their compliance issues.
The reprieve comes after widespread public concern and media appeals over the impact of the mass shutdowns on press freedom, jobs, and access to information.
In a statement signed by Hon. Felix Kwakye Ofosu, Minister of Government Communications, the government emphasized that while it supports regulatory enforcement, there must be a balance between compliance and the need to maintain a healthy media environment.
“The President has directed that the NCA engages the affected stations constructively and grants a reasonable grace period for them to regularize their operations,” the statement noted.
On June 12, the NCA announced that 62 radio stations were to suspend operations for violations including:
Operating with expired authorisations.
Failing to commence broadcasting within two years of receiving licences.
Holding provisional authorisations without completing the required payments or technical compliance processes.
These actions, the NCA said, violated the Electronic Communications Act, 2008 (Act 775) and the Electronic Communications Regulations, 2011 (L.I. 1991), specifically Section 2(4) and Regulations 54 and 56.
The Authority had earlier insisted that none of the affected stations held valid authorizations or certificates of compliance and were thus illegally on air.
Following the President’s directive, the NCA is expected to:
Publish revised timelines for compliance.
Provide technical guidance and support to the affected stations.
Monitor progress and reapply enforcement if compliance is not achieved.
The decision has been widely welcomed by media groups, civil society organizations, and journalists who viewed the original shutdown directive as too sweeping and potentially damaging to media freedom in Ghana.
“This reprieve is a lifeline for many stations that were facing closure and financial ruin. It also sends a strong message that engagement and reform are possible even in the face of serious regulatory lapses,” one media rights advocate said.
The Ministry of Communication, Digital Technology and Innovation has been tasked with facilitating dialogue between the NCA and the affected stations to ensure full resolution.
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