Mr Alexander Afenyo-Markin, the Minority Leader in Parliament, has urged the Minister of Communications, Digital Technology and Innovations, Samuel Nartey George, to explain the shutdown of seven radio stations, to Parliament.
He challenged the minister’s authority in issuing the directive, and asked the Leader of Government Business, to summon the sector minister to the House to justify his action.
The Minority Leader in a statement made on the floor of Parliament, on Friday, averred that the National Media Commission (NMC) was the appropriate constitutional body cloaked with the authority to oversee such matters.
“In my view, the National Media Commission is the body responsible for making certain determinations and recommendations as to the conduct of some of these radio stations in our country.
“I find it very strange that the minister will issue such directive. I will, therefore, based on these concerns, pray that the leader of government business indulges the House to invite the minister to come and brief the House on what resulted in his action,” Mr Afenyo-Markin, who is also Member of Parliament for Effutu Constituency, in the Central Region, stated.
The minister in a statement, directed the Acting Director-General of the National Communications Authority (NCA) to take immediate enforcement action against several stations for operating without valid frequency authorisations, citing violations of Section 2(4) of the Electronic Communications Act, 2008 (Act 775).
The affected stations, include the Fire Group of Companies in Sunyani (90.1MHz), I-Zar Consult Limited in Tamale (89.7MHz), Abochannel Media Group in Adidome (105.7MHz), Okyeame Radio Limited in Bibiani (99.7MHz), Mumen Bono Foundation in Techiman (99.7MHz), and Osikani Community FM in Nkrankwanta (99.7MHz).
Mr Nartey George indicated that these entities had failed to renew their frequency authorisations, full statutory payment obligations, or submit the required documentation within the stipulated timeframe, resulting in the automatic lapse of their authorisations and rendering their continued operations illegal under the law.
The Ministry revealed that, intelligence reports indicate that Gumah FM station in Bawku, in the Upper East Region that was also shut down, has been used as a platform to incite violence, disrupt public order and escalate tensions on the region.
The ministry explained that it ordered the immediate shutdown of Gumah, following urgent national security concerns raised by the Upper East Regional Security Council.
The NCA has been directed to enforce the suspension immediately, with further action to follow in the coming days.
The minister emphasized the need to “sanitise” Ghana’s airwaves and ensure strict compliance with laws governing frequency authorisations.
The move is seen as part of a broader effort to regulate the country’s media landscape and enforce adherence to broadcasting regulations. – GNA
