Wontumi Multimedia executive Gordon Asare Bediako has sharply criticized Ghana’s National Communications Authority (NCA) for abruptly shutting down nine radio stations, including three of its outlets, over licensing disputes.
Speaking on the Asaase Breakfast Show Wednesday, Bediako insisted the company met all regulatory requirements, calling the closures unjustified.
“We submitted our fire certificate, EPA permit, and STL authorization request,” he stated. “The only delay is NCA’s lack of a governing board to approve the STL. Why should we suffer for their administrative gap?” Bediako noted Wontumi Kumasi was unexpectedly added to the closure list despite escaping a major NCA enforcement action in June.
The executive linked the licensing dispute to a separate incident: the arrest of a Wontumi team member in Kumasi by unidentified armed individuals. “They fired warning shots, took our broadcaster, and now he’s untraceable.
Calling them ‘believed to be national security’ in a democracy is unacceptable,” Bediako declared, condemning opaque security operations.
He accused “hawks within the security architecture” of inflaming tensions ahead of elections and warned such actions could empower opposition.
“Power shouldn’t abuse rights. The election isn’t sealed yet,” he cautioned, urging NPP members to stay united. Wontumi’s legal team meets NCA officials today to resolve the licensing standoff.
