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Gumah FM, one of the radio stations recently shut down by the Ministry of Communication, Digital Technology, and Innovations, has announced plans to petition the National Media Commission (NMC) and potentially take legal action if necessary.
The closure, which took effect on Tuesday, February 19, 2025, was part of a broader crackdown on media outlets accused of operating without proper frequency authorization.
The directive, signed by Minister Samuel Nartey George, also alleged that Gumah FM had been inciting violence in Bawku, leading to its immediate shutdown.
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However, the management of Gumah FM has strongly denied any wrongdoing and insists the shutdown is politically motivated.
In an interview on Thursday, February 20, the General Manager of Gumah FM, Nurudeen Gumah, stated that the station would first seek clarification from the National Communications Authority (NCA) regarding the specific reasons for the closure.
“We are going to write to the National Communications Authority to understand why we were shut down. We will also petition the National Media Commission to review the matter and explore other possible resolutions for us. If we are not satisfied with the outcome, we will have no choice but to take legal action,” he said.
He further questioned why the station was being accused of inciting violence without any concrete evidence presented to them.
Gumah FM’s management has condemned the shutdown, calling it a politically motivated move to suppress independent voices.
“We only received a letter informing us of the closure. That is why we believe they need to provide evidence. We document all our programs and include disclaimers. If they claim we aired content that incites violence or hate speech, they should provide proof. But they haven’t done that, and I strongly believe this is either a political witch hunt or a deliberate attempt to silence Gumah FM,” Nurudeen Gumah told Citi News.
He also called on the government to uphold press freedom, emphasizing that media houses should not be arbitrarily shut down based on political considerations.
The closure of Gumah FM and other radio stations has sparked concerns over press freedom in Ghana. Various media rights groups and civil society organizations have criticized the move, urging the government to be transparent in its dealings with media organizations.
Some journalists and opposition figures have also accused the government of using regulatory bodies as tools for censorship.
If the petitions to the NCA and NMC do not yield favorable results, Gumah FM has made it clear that they will not hesitate to take legal action.
“For now, we want to exhaust all administrative processes, but if we do not get justice, we will take the matter to court. We will not allow any entity to suppress our right to operate,” Nurudeen Gumah stressed.
As the dispute unfolds, all eyes are on the NCA and NMC to see how they handle the case. Meanwhile, Gumah FM’s management remains resolute in its fight to have the station reopened.
The coming weeks will be crucial in determining whether the station can resume operations or if this will mark a prolonged legal battle over media freedom in Ghana.
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