No more warnings – Minister vows tough action against defaulting radio stations

Fifty-eight out of 64 radio stations initially earmarked for closure over regulatory breaches have taken steps to regularise their operations following a 30-day amnesty granted by the government.

The Minister of Communications, Digital Technology and Innovation, Samuel Nartey George, disclosed this at a press briefing in Accra on Friday, August 1, 2025, as part of the Government Accountability Series.

The amnesty, granted on the instruction of President John Dramani Mahama, offered non-compliant stations a final opportunity to resolve outstanding issues with the National Communications Authority (NCA). Mr George said the stations had since written to the NCA and initiated the process of updating their documentation and regulatory records.

“We expect that the public education involving the first batch of 64 would have pushed the others to do the right thing,” Mr George said.

However, he issued a strong warning to other defaulting broadcasters, stating that 210 stations remain non-compliant and could face imminent enforcement.

“For those who have still not taken any steps, there will be no further announcements. There will simply be enforcement,” he declared.

The clampdown is part of a comprehensive frequency audit launched by the Ministry and executed by the NCA, aimed at recovering public assets and ensuring that Ghana’s broadcast spectrum is used lawfully and responsibly.

Findings from the audit’s initial phase revealed numerous regulatory violations, with tax-related penalties totalling approximately GH¢9.5 million. Some offending stations have already been taken off air for their failure to comply with the law.

Mr George emphasised that the exercise is purely regulatory, not political, and meant to restore accountability to the media landscape.

“Frequencies are public property,” he stated. “Those who use them must operate within the law.”

The government maintains that ensuring the lawful use of frequencies is essential to strengthening the integrity of Ghana’s communications sector and protecting the public interest.