Mahama Directs Sam George to Work on Reversing Asaase, Wontumi And Other Radio Stations Shut Down

• President John Mahama has directed the Minister for Communications to give a grace period to the suspended radio stations
• Mahama directed the minister to liaise with the National Communications Authority to immediately restore the broadcast
• The presidency justified the move, saying regulatory compliance needed to be balanced with media freedom

President John Mahama has directed the Minister for Communications, Digital Technology and Innovation, Sam George, to work on restoring the suspended licenses of sanctioned radio stations.

He directed that George liaise with the National Communications Authority (NCA) to immediately restore the broadcast licenses of the 64 radio stations affected by the regulator's action.

A statement from the presidency on June 12 indicates that Mahama believes that regulatory compliance must take into account the need to uphold and enhance media freedom.

"...requiring radio stations to shut down while awaiting the regularisation of their authorisation could limit the space for expressing such freedoms."

"The President has asked the Minister to work with the NCA on a reasonable timeframe within which the affected stations should regularise their authorisation."

30 days grace period given to stations

In Parliament, George, cautioned all radio stations affected by a shutdown to take full advantage of a 30-day clemency initiated by the president.

Because they still risked losing their broadcast licenses permanently.

“A few minutes ago, the President directed that the Ministry of Communication, Digital Technology, and Innovation work with the NCA to allow all the affected radio stations some additional time to correct the identified breaches within a defined time frame."

“Those who fail to do so shall have their authorisation formally revoked under the law. In line with the directive from the President, the Ministry has granted a further 30 days’ grace period to all the faulting entities."

Afenyo-Markin and Sam George clash

The Minority Leader, Alexander Kwamina Afenyo-Markin, raised questions about the National Communications Authority's (NCA) decision to shut down Wontumi FM and Asaase Radio.

He questioned why Wontumi FM and Asaase Radio would be denied the opportunity to broadcast.

Afenyo-Markin's remarks solicited a response from the Minister of Communications, Digital Technology, and Innovations and Member of Parliament for the Ningo-Prampram, Honourable Sam Nartey George, who emphatically stated that the NCA had followed the law to shut down the two radio stations.

The Minority Leader also raised questions about the Ashanti Regional Chairman for the New Patriotic Party (NPP) and Wontumi FM owner, Chairman Wontumi's ongoing legal woes during President John Dramani Mahama's second term in office.

He stated that the closure of Wontumi FM and Asaase Radio was against the democratic principles governing the country and cautioned the NDC government against what he deemed as a political witchhunt.

About the sanctioned stations

The National Communications Authority announced that 64 stations were sanctioned for operating without valid authorisation.

The stations were directed to suspend operations. They were found to have had expired licences, failed to commence operations within the permitted timeframe, and among others.

Out of the 62 affected stations, 28 were found to be operating with expired authorisations, 14 received authorisation but failed to set up operations within two years, 13 are operating under provisional authorisation, despite having paid the required fees.

Seven stations paid provisional fees, but final authorisation was pending due to non-fulfilment of requirements.

Gabby shares reason Asaase was shut down

YEN.com.gh reported that the Board Chairman of Asaase Broadcasting Company Ltd., Gabby Otchere-Darko, confirmed the shutdown of his radio station.

Otchere-Darko said the station was delayed in renewing its licence in 2025 following sanctions by the National Communications Authority.

He also noted that the station was due to celebrate its fifth anniversary on Saturday, June 14.

Source: YEN.com.gh