It Is Pure Madness For A Small Country Like Ghana To Have About 700 Radio Stations And 120TV Channel

Hon. Sam George, Minister for Communication, Digital Technology and Innovations GhanaWeb, Ghana Guardian, Modern Ghana and related reports of 3 November 2026 covering the minister’s remarks.

Communications Minister Samuel Nartey George has stirred fresh debate over Ghana’s crowded broadcasting space after describing the sheer number of radio and television stations as “pure madness.”

Speaking at an event in Accra on Monday, 2 November 2026, the minister questioned how a nation of roughly 35 million people could sustain nearly 700 radio stations and more than 120 television channels. “Explain to me why a country like Ghana, with 35 million people, should have almost 700 radio stations and 120 TV stations. It is pure madness,” he said.

George went further, arguing that the explosion of outlets had crossed the line from media freedom into what he called “media tyranny.” He said that if given a free hand he would shut down every politically and religiously affiliated media house to create “a clean slate.”

The minister also raised concerns about religious organisations owning broadcast stations. He noted that the law prohibits religious bodies from holding such licences, yet many still operate stations by using proxy companies or other entities to obtain authorisations from the National Communications Authority.

His remarks come amid ongoing discussions about regulatory standards, content quality and the practical challenges of overseeing such a large number of broadcasters. Ghana’s airwaves have long been regarded as among the most vibrant in Africa, but the rapid growth has also fuelled questions about professionalism, compliance and the balance between openness and order.

Reactions have been mixed. Some Ghanaians welcome the call for tighter regulation and higher standards, while others see the large number of stations as a source of jobs and diverse voices that should not be lightly restricted.

Whether the minister’s comments signal concrete policy moves or simply a strong expression of concern remains to be seen. What is clear is that the conversation about how many radio and television stations a country of Ghana’s size truly needs has been pushed firmly back into the public square.

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