Mahama Orders Immediate Steps to Restore 64 Suspended Radio Stations

Mahama Orders Immediate Steps to Restore 64 Suspended Radio Stations

President John Dramani Mahama has instructed the Minister for Communications, Digital Technology and Innovation to collaborate with the National Communications Authority (NCA) to promptly reinstate the broadcast of sixty-four radio stations impacted by the regulator’s decision.

A statement from the Minister of Government Communications, Felix Kwakye Ofosu, indicated that the President is of the opinion that regulatory compliance should also consider the importance of maintaining and promoting media freedom. He noted that requiring radio stations to cease operations while they await the regularization of their authorization could restrict the avenues for expressing such freedoms.

“The President has requested the Minister to coordinate with the NCA to establish a reasonable timeline for the affected stations to regularize their authorization,” the statement mentioned.

The NCA had ordered noncompliant FM Broadcasting Stations to halt operations on their respective frequencies due to various infractions. This directive was announced in a statement released on Thursday, June 12, 2025.

As per the NCA, this enforcement action has become essential due to ongoing breaches of regulatory standards, particularly Regulations 54 and 56 of the Electronic Communications Regulations, 2011 (L.I. 1991), as well as the Conditions of their FM Broadcasting Authorizations.

“Approximately sixty-two (62) stations have been impacted. These stations either lack valid broadcasting Authorizations or do not possess a Certificate of Compliance to begin operations and may only resume once all regulatory violations have been resolved and corrected,” the NCA stated.

The decision to suspend the operations of these FM stations follows a directive from the Minister for Communication, Digital Technology and Innovation, instructing the NCA to implement appropriate sanctions on stations identified as violating regulations during a recent audit aimed at ensuring full compliance with licensing and operational standards.