Minister of Communications, Samuel ‘Gyata’ Nartey George, has revealed that only 18 out of over 60 radio stations sanctioned and granted amnesty by the President have engaged with the National Communication Authority (NCA) to rectify their issues.
He stated that with only nine days left of the 30-day amnesty granted by the Ministry, no extensions will be granted upon its expiration.
However, for those who have made attempts to engage with the NCA to correct their issues, an additional 30 days have been added to their amnesty.
He made these remarks while addressing a press conference on Thursday, July 3, 2025, to provide updates on some achievements of his ministry.
“We have nine days left of the first 30-day grace period. Of the 62 stations, only 18 has made an effort to reach out to the NCA to try and remedy their challenges. In fact, of the 18, most of them will not be able, of the challenges that they have to complete it in the nine days. But so that it does not appear as though this is a deliberate witch-hunt, we have directed the NCA that for all the 18 who have reached out, they should serve notices given them a 30-day extension to complete the requirements that they need.”
He added that “in the interim, for those who would have to then operate on test transmission, we would have to do so whiles they wait to complete the process. But for those who make no efforts whatsoever on the expiration of the nine days, enforcement would be carried out again. And this time around I don’t think the President is going to show further leniency.”
Background
The suspension of these radio stations was due to regulatory breaches. In response, the President directed the Minister for Communications, Digital Technology, and Innovation to work with the National Communications Authority (NCA) to promptly reinstate the broadcast licenses of the affected stations.
The directive was announced today through a statement issued by Felix Kwakye Ofosu, Spokesperson to the President and Minister for Government Communications, just a few hours after the NCA shut down the stations.
The statement noted that President Mahama believes in the importance of balancing regulatory compliance with media freedom. It said, “requiring radio stations to shut down while awaiting the regularisation of their authorisation could limit the space for expressing such freedoms.”
According to the NCA, the enforcement is being rolled out in phases, beginning with stations identified in the Frequency Audit Report. The infractions identified in the first phase include:
- Twenty-eight (28) FM stations operating with expired authorisations, despite prior orders issued in 2024 to cease broadcasting. These stations remain on air in violation of Section 2(4) of the Electronic Communications Act, 2008 (Act 775).
- Fourteen (14) FM stations that were issued Notices of Revocation for failing to commence operations within two years of receiving authorisation. Although they have since requested inspections, various lapses have stalled the process — yet these stations continue to broadcast, contravening Regulation 54.
- Thirteen (13) FM stations with Provisional Authorisations who have not settled the requisite fees in full, and therefore lack valid authorisations to operate. This again breaches Section 2(4) of Act 775.
- Seven (7) FM stations that have paid provisional fees but have not yet been issued final authorisations due to non-fulfilment of Regulation 54 requirements.
By: Rainbowradioonline.com/Ghana
