It’s all for show – Minority leader questions motives behind radio shutdown reversal

Minority Leader Alexander Afenyo-Markin has expressed his disapproval of the National Communications Authority’s (NCA) choice to close down 62 radio stations, including Wontumi FM and Assase Radio.

Following the NCA’s announcement on Thursday, June 12, regarding the suspension of these non-compliant radio stations, the President intervened by issuing a clemency order, instructing the NCA and the Communications Minister to reverse the shutdown.

While addressing Members of Parliament in the House, Afenyo-Markin emphasized the need to investigate the motives behind the shutdown, suggesting that there may be political influences at play.

He claimed that the President’s clemency is merely for show, especially after public backlash against the government’s actions.

“Mr. Speaker, these actions are often taken for appearances when the political landscape faces criticism. It’s a very telling statement,” remarked the Effutu MP.

Afenyo-Markin noted that the Minority Caucus views the swift reversal of the shutdown “with skepticism.”

“We regard this supposed clemency with skepticism, as the NCA and the Ministry had already taken a certain course of action, and now the President, exercising his supervisory authority, is saying to halt it,” he explained.

He further questioned, “Couldn’t this have been discussed internally before making such a decision? It is evident that Article 296 raises some concerns for both the NCA and the Communications Ministry.”

In the meantime, Communications Minister Samuel Nartey George has announced that the closed radio stations have been granted a 30-day grace period to address the issues.

He stated that if the stations do not resolve the problems by the end of this period, they will face closure again.

In a Facebook update following President John Dramani Mahama’s intervention regarding the stations, the Ningo Prampram lawmaker stated, “The President has requested that the National Communications Authority, Ghana, extend clemency to the defaulting media outlets. We have complied and provided a 30-day grace period.