Ghana’s media landscape is facing renewed scrutiny following an order by the National Communications Authority (NCA) for 62 radio stations to cease broadcasting. The directive, issued on 12 June, cites breaches of the Electronic Communications Act, including expired licences and failure to meet authorisation requirements.
The move sparked swift intervention from former President John Dramani Mahama, who described the shutdowns as excessive and potentially harmful to press freedom. He directed the Ministry of Communications, Digital Technology and Innovation to work with the NCA to restore affected broadcasts and allow for regularisation.
“Radio is a vital platform for free expression,” Mahama’s office stated. “Compliance should not override the democratic imperative of open public discourse.”
The Ministry gave affected stations a 30-day grace period to address outstanding licensing issues. However, the Media Foundation for West Africa (MFWA) has criticised the approach as hasty and lacking transparency.
While the MFWA acknowledges the NCA’s mandate to regulate, it warns that selective or politically influenced enforcement could damage the credibility of the regulatory framework. The absence of published audit reports, minimal stakeholder consultation, and unclear criteria have heightened suspicions of bias.
This is not the first time such actions have caused concern. Similar shutdowns in 2019 and February 2025—some targeting stations perceived as opposition-aligned—sparked backlash over fairness and consistency.
The MFWA has urged authorities to adopt a more collaborative approach, involving broadcasters in discussions and allowing sufficient time for compliance. It argues that regulation should serve both legal standards and democratic values.
In the meantime, the organisation calls on all affected stations to fulfil their obligations and avoid future sanctions.
The situation continues to unfold, with media observers watching closely to see if a balance between regulation and freedom of expression can be achieved in practice—not just in principle.
