Ghana’s National Communications Authority (NCA) has ordered the immediate closure of more than 60 radio stations for regulatory breaches.
NCA says the action on the non-compliant fm stations became necessary due to the institutions’ persistent violations of regulatory requirements, specifically Regulations 54 and 56 of the Electronic Communications Regulations, 2011 (L.I. 1991) and the Conditions of their FM Broadcasting Authorizations.
Among the stations affected are Happy FM, Asaase Radio, 59 Wontumi FM among several others.
The enforcement followed a directive issued by the Minister for Communication, Digital Technology and Innovation, mandating the NCA to enforce applicable sanctions on stations found to be in violation of the regulations in the recent audit conducted by the NCA to ensure full compliance with licensing and operational requirements in the broadcasting sector.
Categories of defaulting entities identified in the Frequency Audit Report include 28 stations operating with expired authorizations; 14 others that were issued notices of revocation for failure to setup within two years from the date of their authorizations but subsequently requested for inspection but the process has not been completed due to various lapses they have to rectify but are still on air; 13 stations that applied for authorizations to continue operating and have been issued provisional authorization but have not settled the Provisional authorization fees in full, and seven that Seven others paid provisional authorization fees but final authorization was yet to be issued and have not fulfilled the requirements of regulation 54 of the Electronic Communications Regulations, 2011, L.I. 1991.
Some of these stations were ordered by the NCA in 2024 to cease broadcasting but have persisted in the illegality. This represents violation of the Electronic Communications Act, 2008 (Act 775).
The NCA says while it acknowledges the vital role radio stations play in national development, it is imperative that all authorization Holders strictly adhere to the regulatory requirements and conditions of their authorizations.
“Consequently, failure to comply with this directive shall constitute an affront to the prescribed conditions for FM Broadcasting with grave consequences for their authorizations,” the authority said. “We wish to assure the general public that the NCA remains dedicated to maintaining order in the broadcasting sector. We urge all authorization Holders to fully comply with regulatory requirements to help promote an orderly industry.”