The Media Foundation for West Africa (MFWA) has commended President John Dramani Mahama's intervention to halt the National Communications Authority’s (NCA) suspension of 62 radio stations located in various parts of the country.

The MFWA also welcomes the Ministry of Communications’ announcement of a 30-day grace period for the affected stations to comply with all legal and regulatory obligations, following the President’s intervention.

Order

On June 12, the regulator, NCA ordered 62 stations to suspend broadcasting following a directive from the Minister for Communications, Digital Technology and Innovation,Sam Nartey George. The directive mandated the NCA to enforce sanctions against stations found non-compliant with media regulations following an audit.

According to the regulator, the affected stations violated the Electronic Communications Act, 2008 (Act 775), and its accompanying regulations (L.I. 1991). The regulations fell into four categories: operating with expired authorisations despite directives to cease operations; continuing to broadcast after notices of revocation for failure to set up within the permitted timeframe; failure to pay full authorisation fees after receiving provisional authorisation; and failure to meet conditions for final authorisation despite partial payment of fees.

President’s intervention

However, hours after the NCA’s order was issued, President John Mahama intervened. In a statement issued by his spokesperson, the President emphasised that radio stations serve as important avenues for free expression, and shutting them down is tantamount to depriving citizens of an important avenue to partake in national discourse.

The MFWA acknowledges the authority of the NCA and the Ministry of Communications to enforce broadcasting regulations. The organisation also recognises the legal imperative for broadcast media outlets to comply with all legal and regulatory obligations.

Worrying trend

However, the practice of new governments shutting down radio stations under the pretext of audit reports and non-compliance with authorisation obligations is worrying. In 2019, a similar audit resulted in the selective shutdown of two radio stations, Radio Gold and Radio XYZ, both known to be affiliated with the then opposition party, which is now the ruling party, the National Democratic Congress.

In February 2025, a month after the assumption of office of the ruling government, six stations were also shut down on the basis of non-compliance with authorisation requirements and obligations.

For avoidance of doubt, best practices must be followed in the application of sanctions on defaulting stations. To promote openness, transparency, accountability, and trust in the process, the full list of authorised stations and their current status should be made public.

The audit report should also be released to help the public understand the specific infractions attributed to each of the defaulting stations. It may also be worth considering that not all infractions may warrant the same degree of sanction.

Approach

Following an audit, the appropriate approach would be for the regulator and the defaulting stations to agree on a clear and reasonable compliance plan and timeline. Abrupt closures only risk denying citizens access to vital information, shrinking civic space, and restricting freedom of expression, concerns rightly echoed by President Mahama.

The MFWA will continue to monitor the situation keenly for subsequent developments. Meanwhile, we call on all affected radio stations to take steps to fulfil their outstanding licensing and operational obligations.