The Minority Leader has questioned Mahama’ clemency granted to 64 radio stations that were shut down
The Minority Leader in Parliament, Alexander Kwamina Afenyo-Markin, has questioned President John Dramani Mahama’s 30-day clemency granted to the 64 radio stations that were shut down by the National Communications Authority (NCA) for various breaches.
Delivering a statement on the floor on Thursday, July 12, 2025, the Member of Parliament for Effutu stated, “These are things that are done for the optics when the political system sees that there is a backlash. We take the clemency with a pinch of salt.”
He further condemned the actions of the National Communications Authority (NCA), and the Minister of Communication, Digital Technology and Innovations, noting that they do not align with the 1992 Constitution.
“Freedom and independence of the media are hereby guaranteed, subject to this constitution and any other law not inconsistent with this constitution, there shall be no censorship in Ghana, there shall be no impediments to the establishment of private press or media, and in particular, there shall be no law requiring any person to obtain a license as a prerequisite to the establishment or operation of a newspaper, journal or other medium for mass communication,” he noted.
The Minority Leader recalled that during the Eighth Parliament, Samuel Nartey George opposed ministerial interventions in such matters and warned against penalties imposed without constitutional basis.
“I am saying that the respected honorable minister must not change his principles by virtue of his new position of honour. He fundamentally agrees that we must uphold the constitution. So, let’s not justify this attitude of shutdown,” he noted.
Afenyo-Markin emphasised that administrative engagement should be the path forward.
“Why should XYZ Radio be denied the opportunity to broadcast? Why should Wontumi FM and Happy FM be taken off air? If we are to uphold the constitution, we cannot justify actions that gag the media,” he added.
President John Dramani Mahama has directed the Minister of Communication, Digital Technology and Innovation to liaise with the NCA to immediately restore the broadcast of sixty-four (64) radio stations affected by the regulator’s action.
He stressed that forcing stations off air while they await the regularisation of their authorisation risks undermining the country’s democratic tenets.
On June 12, 2025, the NCA, ordered the immediate closure of 64 radio stations for various regulatory breaches.
The affected stations included Asaase Radio and Wontumi FM.
JKB/AE
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