President John Mahama has called for leniency toward the 62 radio stations — including Asaase Radio and Wontumi FM — whose operations were recently suspended by the National Communications Authority (NCA) for regulatory breaches.
In response to growing public concern, President Mahama has directed the Minister for Communications, Digital Technology, and Innovation, Sam George, to engage the NCA and establish a clear and reasonable timeline for the affected stations to complete their regularisation processes and resume operations.
A statement issued by the Minister for Government Communications, Felix Kwakye Ofosu, emphasized the importance of balancing regulatory enforcement with the protection of media freedom. It urged the NCA to adopt a more accommodating and collaborative approach in its dealings with media houses.
“The President believes regulatory compliance must take into account the need to uphold and enhance media freedom,” the statement read.
This intervention comes amid mounting criticism that suspending radio stations before allowing them a window to rectify regulatory lapses could pose a threat to freedom of expression and the broader democratic space.
President Mahama’s directive signals a call for regulatory fairness that preserves both legal standards and the constitutional right to free speech.
A statement signed by the Minister for Government Communications, Felix Kwakye Ofosu, stressed the importance of balancing regulatory compliance with the protection of free speech and urged a more accommodating approach from the regulator.
“The President believes regulatory compliance must take into account the need to uphold and enhance media freedom,” the statement noted.
This directive comes amid growing concerns that suspending radio operations pending regularisation could undermine media freedom in the country.
