Fifty-eight of sixty-four radio stations facing closure have initiated compliance procedures during a government amnesty period, Communications Minister Samuel Nartey George confirmed on August 1.
The 30-day grace period, authorized by President John Mahama, allowed broadcasters cited in the National Communications Authority’s nationwide frequency audit to address regulatory violations including lapsed licenses and unpaid levies.
Minister George reported the compliant stations submitted formal letters of intent and began updating documentation while settling outstanding fees during the reprieve.
The minister issued a firm warning to 210 additional non-compliant broadcasters who ignored the amnesty. “For those who have still not taken any steps, there will be no further announcements. There will simply be enforcement,” George stated during the Government Accountability Series in Accra. He clarified the crackdown targets electromagnetic spectrum management rather than press freedom, emphasizing frequencies constitute public property requiring responsible use. Audit findings revealed widespread infractions across the sector, with initial tax-related penalties estimated at GH¢9.5 million.
George noted several offending stations already faced removal from airwaves, while the NCA prepares fresh sanctions lists for persistent violators. “Regulatory discipline is non-negotiable as we build our digital economy,” he concluded, stressing equal application of broadcasting laws. The regularization drive forms part of broader efforts to reclaim and properly administer Ghana’s spectrum resources following the comprehensive audit.
