The National Communications Authority (NCA) has ordered the immediate shutdown of over 60 radio stations across Ghana, including high-profile broadcasters Asaase Radio and Wontumi FM, citing multiple violations of regulatory requirements.
The decision follows a recent audit conducted by the NCA, backed by a ministerial directive, which uncovered widespread non-compliance with licensing regulations outlined in the Electronic Communications Act and its related guidelines.
According to the NCA, the enforcement action targets stations that have either allowed their authorisations to expire, failed to pay licence fees, or neglected to meet the operational setup conditions required for broadcasting.
Asaase Radio (99.5 FM) is currently off air following the directive.
A breakdown of the affected stations reveals:
- 28 stations were found operating with expired authorisations.
- 14 stations were authorised but failed to begin operations within the two-year limit, violating setup timelines.
- 13 stations are on air under provisional authorisation, despite having paid all necessary fees.
- 7 stations paid provisional fees, but final authorisation is pending due to unmet requirements under Regulation 54 of the Electronic Communications Regulations.
The NCA stressed that all broadcasters must strictly adhere to licensing obligations in order to continue operating and warned that continued monitoring and enforcement will be carried out nationwide.
“The authority is committed to ensuring compliance to maintain order and professionalism in Ghana’s broadcasting landscape,” the NCA said in a statement.
