President Mahama Requests NCA to reinstate 64 shut-down radio stations – GhArticles.com

President John Dramani Mahama has intervened in the ongoing clampdown on non-compliant radio stations by the National Communications Authority (NCA), directing the Ministry of Communications, Digital Technology and Innovation to work with the NCA to restore the broadcast of the 64 affected stations.

This directive was communicated by presidential spokesperson Felix Kwakye Ofosu, who emphasised that the president is calling for a more balanced and rights-conscious enforcement of broadcasting regulations.

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

The president’s remarks follow recent enforcement actions by the NCA, which ordered the shutdown of 64 FM stations across the country due to various licensing breaches, including expired authorisations and failure to pay required fees.

In response, President Mahama has asked the Communications Minister to collaborate with the NCA to create a reasonable timeframe for the affected stations to regularise their status and continue broadcasting without further disruption.