….Mahama grants 30-day amnesty
Gabby Asare Otchere-Darko, the Founder of Asaase Radio, has tasted a dose of the Akufo-Addo-era regulatory medicine, which, in May 2019, led to the closure of 33 media outlets, including Radio Gold, for nearly five years.
A statement issued by the National Communications Authority (NCA) on May 9, 2019, justified the clampdown by citing Regulation 65(1) of the Electronic Communications Regulations, 2011 (L.I. 1991), which stipulates: “A person shall not use a radio frequency without authorisation from the Authority.”
Nearly a decade later, Otchere-Darko, who is a cousin to former President Nana Akufo-Addo, has confirmed that Asaase Radio’s Accra-based station, has been shut down by the NCA for delayed licence renewal, alongside more than 60 other FM stations.
Affected stations, include Wontumi FM, owned by the New Patriotic Party’s (NPP) Ashanti Regional Chairman, Bernard Antwi Boasiako, also known as “Chairman Wontumi.”
Both Wontumi FM’s Accra and Takoradi outlets, as well as Asaase Radio’s Accra station, were among those ordered to suspend operations immediately for non-compliance with broadcasting regulations.
The directive, follows a recent frequency audit and a ministerial order by the Minister for Communication, Digital Technology and Innovation, instructing the NCA to enforce regulatory compliance within the broadcasting sector once again.
“Yes, it’s true. Asaase Radio 99.5, which celebrates its 5th anniversary this Saturday, has been shut down,” Mr Otchere-Darko confirmed across his social media platforms yesterday, Thursday, 12 June 2025.
“The General Manager informs me it’s because the station delayed in renewing its licence last year. It was to be renewed by October, but only done in December 2024.”
The NCA’s crackdown targets what it described as “persistent violations” of regulatory requirements. According to an official statement released on 12 June, the enforcement is based on breaches under Regulations 54 and 56 of L.I. 1991, as well as conditions attached to FM broadcasting authorisations.
The audit uncovered multiple categories of violations, including: 28 stations operating with expired authorisations some of which had previously been ordered to cease operations in 2024 but defied the directive; 14 stations that failed to commence operations within two years of receiving authorisation, yet remain on air pending inspection; 13 stations with provisional authorisations that have not paid the required fees and, therefore, lack valid operating licences and seven stations that paid provisional fees but failed to meet the criteria for final authorisation.
Asaase Radio, falls within the first category, stations operating with expired licences. The NCA emphasised that all affected stations must rectify their regulatory infractions and receive formal clearance before resuming operations.
“While the NCA acknowledges the vital role radio stations play in national development, it is imperative that all Authorisation Holders strictly adhere to the regulatory requirements and conditions of their Authorisations,” the statement noted.
It further warned: “Failure to comply with this directive shall constitute an affront to the prescribed conditions for FM Broadcasting, with grave consequences for their Authorisations.”
In total, 62 stations were affected in this initial wave of enforcement. The NCA reiterated its commitment to ensuring order and professionalism in Ghana’s media space and urged all broadcasters to align with regulatory standards.
In a sharp contrast to the Akufo-Addo administration’s hardline stance, where President Akufo-Addo, allowed his minister, Ursula Owusu, free rein, but current President John Dramani Mahama, has stepped in and directed the Ministry of Communications, Digital Technology and Innovation to engage the NCA immediately to restore broadcasting services to the 64 stations recently taken off air.
According to a statement issued by the Presidency on Thursday, June 12, 2025, while regulatory enforcement is essential, it must not infringe upon media freedom or shrink the civic space.
“Requiring radio stations to shut down while awaiting the regularisation of their authorisation could limit the space for expressing such freedoms,” the statement asserted.
To this end, President Mahama, has instructed Communications Minister Samuel Nartey George to collaborate with the NCA and establish a reasonable timeframe for affected stations to complete their regularisation processes.
Minister Samuel Nartey George, has urged all affected stations to take full advantage of the President’s 30-day grace period to resolve their compliance issues or risk permanent revocation of their broadcasting licences.
Addressing Parliament yesterday, the Minister stressed that the clemency period offers one final opportunity for stations to regularise their operations.
“A few minutes ago, the President directed that the Ministry work with the NCA to allow all the affected radio stations additional time to correct the identified breaches within a defined timeframe,” he announced. “Those who fail to do so shall have their authorisation formally revoked under the law.”
Earlier, President Mahama had urged the NCA to adopt a more flexible enforcement strategy that ensures regulatory compliance without undermining free speech and access to information.
The NCA, clarified that these stations currently lack valid broadcasting authorisations or compliance certificates and may only resume operations once all issues are resolved.
“While the NCA acknowledges the vital role radio stations play in national development, it is imperative that all authorisation holders strictly adhere to regulatory requirements,” the statement concluded.
The regulator warned that continued non-compliance could lead to the permanent revocation of licences and encouraged all broadcasters to align with licensing rules to promote a professional and orderly media sector.
Meanwhile, Minority Leader, Alexander Afenyo-Markin, has criticised the government, following President Mahama’s decision to grant clemency to the 64 shut-down radio stations.
Speaking on the floor of Parliament, Afenyo-Markin, questioned the sincerity of the President’s intervention, implying it was a reactive measure spurred by public backlash rather than a principled defence of media freedoms.
“These belated actions, driven by optics, will not help our democracy,” he argued.
He continued, “Couldn’t this have been addressed internally before reaching this point? These are things done for show when the political system senses public discontent. It’s a very rich statement. We take this supposed clemency with a pinch of salt.”
The licences of Radio Gold, Radio XYZ, and 32 other stations were revoked in 2019, following a 2017 NCA audit.
A statement dated May 9, 2019, cited Regulation 65(1) of L.I. 1991: “A person shall not use a radio frequency without authorisation from the Authority.”
Quoting a 2018 ruling by the Electronic Communications Tribunal, the NCA noted at the time that “companies whose authorisations had expired reverted to the same position as fresh applicants,” and must “go through the required procedure for new FM broadcasting authorisation.”
The regulator, also imposed fines ranging from GHS50,000 (US$11,000) to GHC61 million (US$13.8 million), depending on the infraction and the duration of non-compliance.
