57 Radio Stations Face Suspension Over Regulatory Breaches – Minister of Communications

The Minister for Communications, Digital Technology, and Innovations, Samuel Nartey George, has disclosed that 57 radio stations in Ghana are at risk of having their frequencies suspended due to non-compliance with regulatory requirements.

The decision, according to the minister, is aimed at ensuring that all media organizations adhere strictly to broadcasting regulations and operate within the legal framework set by the National Communications Authority (NCA).

Speaking at a press briefing on Monday, March 24, 2025, Hon. Samuel George emphasized that the suspension would serve as a corrective measure rather than an outright revocation of licenses. This, he said, would offer the affected stations an opportunity to rectify their regulatory breaches and resume operations after meeting the necessary conditions.

“The total number of stations with outstanding regulatory issues stands at 63, of which six have already been suspended in the first phase of enforcement. Out of the six, three have taken steps to comply and will have their frequencies restored in the coming days,” he said.

He further warned that the government would not tolerate deliberate disregard for broadcasting regulations under the guise of press freedom.

“We cannot have a situation where media houses flout regulations and argue that press freedoms exempt them from meeting licensing conditions. The law must be respected,” the minister added.

Samuel George clarified that the affected radio stations would not lose their licenses immediately but would be given a specific period to correct the anomalies before permanent revocation is considered.

He assured that the Ministry of Communications and the National Communications Authority (NCA) were open to engaging with media organizations to help them resolve their regulatory challenges.

The minister did not provide a detailed list of infractions but mentioned that common violations include:

• Failure to renew broadcasting licenses within the stipulated timeframe.
• Non-payment of regulatory fees required to maintain operational licenses.
• Unauthorized frequency usage or deviation from approved transmission parameters.
• Breach of content guidelines under the country’s broadcasting regulations.

The potential suspension of 57 radio stations could have a significant impact on Ghana’s media landscape, particularly on businesses, employees, and audiences that rely on these platforms for news, entertainment, and public discourse.

However, industry analysts believe the move could help streamline media operations and encourage greater compliance with national broadcasting laws.

The Ministry of Communications and the NCA have urged affected stations to take immediate steps to resolve their compliance issues to avoid long-term disruptions.

“Once the necessary documentation is provided and outstanding regulatory obligations are fulfilled, these stations will have their frequencies restored,” Samuel George assured.

The Communications Ministry is expected to release an official list of the affected stations and further guidelines on how they can rectify their regulatory breaches in the coming weeks.

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