Minority Calls for Sam George to Answer to Parliament Over Shutdown of Radio Stations

Parliament/Accra, Ghana - 21 Feb, 2025 - The opposition Minority in Parliament is seeking clarification from the Minister of Communication, Digital Technology and Innovations, Samuel Nartey George, regarding the abrupt closure of seven radio stations.

The shutdowns were reportedly prompted by the stations' failure to comply with regulatory requirements, including the renewal of frequency authorizations and payment of statutory fees.

Minority Leader Alexander Afenyo-Markin has expressed concerns about the circumstances surrounding the shutdowns, suggesting that the National Media Commission may have been bypassed in the process.

Afenyo-Markin has called for the Minister to appear before Parliament to provide a detailed explanation for the shutdowns and justify his actions.

“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 added.

The Minister had directed the National Communications Authority (NCA) to take action against these stations for operating without valid frequency authorizations, citing violations of the Electronic Communications Act, 2008 [Act 775].

This development comes after a similar incident in 2017, where the NCA shut down 34 FM broadcasting stations for expired authorizations.

The affected radio stations are:

- 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)
- Osikani Community FM in Nkrankwanta (99.7MHz)

The seventh radio station, Gumah FM in Bawku, was shut down due to security concerns.

Source: Lead NewsOnline