By Godwill Arthur-Mensah
Accra, Feb.21, GNA-Mr Alexander Afenyo-Markin, the Minority Leader in Parliament, has urged the Minister of Communications, Digital Technology and Innovations, Samuel Nartey George, to explain the shutdown of seven radio stations to Parliament.
In a statement made on the floor of Parliament on Friday, Mr Afenyo-Markin challenged the Minister’s authority in issuing the directive and urged the Leader of Government Business to summon the sector minister to the House to justify his action.
The Minority Leader averred that the National Media Commission was the appropriate constitutional body cloaked with the authority to oversee such matters.
“In my view, the National Media Commission is the body responsible for making certain determinations and recommendations as to the conduct of some of these radio stations in our country.
“I find it very strange that the minister will issue such a directive. I will therefore, based on these concerns, pray that the leader of government business indulges the House to invite the minister to come and brief the House on what resulted in his action,” he stated.
On February 18, 2025, the Minister directed the Acting Director-General of the National Communications Authority (NCA) to take immediate enforcement action against several stations for operating without valid frequency authorizations, citing violations of Section 2(4) of the Electronic Communications Act, 2008 (Act 775).
The affected stations included the Fire Group of Companies in Sunyani (90.1MHz), I-Zar Consult Limited in Tamale (89.7MHz), Abochannel Media Group in Adidome (105.7MHz), Okyeame Radio Limited in Bibiani (99.7MHz), Mumen Bono Foundation in Techiman (99.7MHz) and Osikani Community FM in Nkrankwanta (99.7MHz).
A statement from the Communications Ministry indicated that these entities had failed to renew their frequency authorisations, fulfil statutory payment obligations, or submit the required documentation within the stipulated timeframe, resulting in the automatic lapse of their authorizations and rendering their continued operations illegal under the law.
GNA