NCA Shuts Down Nine Radio Stations Over Regulatory Breaches
The National Communications Authority (NCA) has suspended the operations of nine radio stations across Ghana for violating broadcasting regulations. The move, announced in a statement on August 12, 2025, follows the expiration of a 30-day grace period granted by President John Dramani Mahama to defaulting stations to correct their breaches.
According to the NCA, the grace period was part of a special regulatory amnesty programme intended to give non-compliant stations the opportunity to address violations of the laws and regulations governing FM radio broadcasting in the country. However, despite this window of opportunity, some stations either failed, refused, or neglected to take any corrective action.
As a result, six stations have had their operations completely suspended. They are Donplus Multimedia Limited in Ho, Dreams Ghana Media Limited in New Abirem, Jam Multimedia Limited in Kintampo, Jewel Group Limited in Duayaw Nkwanta, Kpandi Star Community Radio in Kpandi, and Unique Gateway Communication Limited in Nkawkaw.
In addition to these, three other stations under Wontumi Multimedia Company Limited were also shut down. These stations operate in Accra on frequency 95.9 MHz, in Kumasi on 101.3 MHz, and in Takoradi also on 101.3 MHz. The NCA explained that while many stations made efforts to address their violations during the amnesty period, these three failed to resolve some critical breaches. The issues cited include the use of unauthorized Studio-to-Transmitter Link frequencies and operating from transmitter locations that had not been approved by the regulator.
The NCA noted that these infractions amount to operating without a Certificate of Compliance, which is a breach of Regulation 54 of the Electronic Communications Regulations, 2011 (L.I. 1991).
The suspension of these nine stations will have a significant impact on communities across the country. In many towns, especially in rural areas, local radio stations serve as the main source of news, entertainment, and community engagement. For small businesses, these stations are also an important advertising platform. With their closure, listeners may be cut off from timely information, while advertisers will have to look for alternative channels to reach their audiences.
The NCA has assured the public that it will continue to closely monitor the broadcasting space to ensure that all stations comply with their authorization conditions and the laws of Ghana. The Authority emphasized that maintaining discipline in the media space is necessary to protect both the public interest and the integrity of Ghana’s broadcasting industry.
