Afenyo-Markin slams Mahama’s clemency for shut-down radio stations as political optics – GhArticles.com

Minority Leader Alexander Afenyo-Markin has criticised President John Dramani Mahama’s decision to grant clemency to 64 radio stations recently taken off-air for regulatory breaches, calling the move “belated” and “performative.”

President Mahama had directed the Minister for Communications, Digital Technology and Innovation to work with the National Communications Authority (NCA) to reinstate the affected stations, which include notable broadcasters like Asaase Radio and Wontumi FM.

The NCA had earlier suspended the operations of the stations for failing to comply with licensing requirements, including non-renewal of authorisations and unpaid regulatory fees. The enforcement drew sharp public criticism, with many raising concerns about media freedom.

Speaking on the floor of Parliament on Thursday, June 12, Afenyo-Markin expressed doubts about the President’s motives.

“These are things that are done for optics when the political system sees that there’s a backlash,” he stated. “We take this supposed clemency with a pinch of salt.”

He added that the Minority caucus viewed the President’s directive as a response to public pressure rather than a proactive stance on media freedom.

“Couldn’t this have been discussed in-house prior to this decision?” he asked. “Some of these belated actions, for the purpose of optics, will not help our democracy.”