The Ghana Journalists Association (GJA) has commended President John Dramani Mahama for intervening to halt the planned shutdown of 62 radio stations by the National Communications Authority (NCA) over various regulatory breaches.
The affected stations had been cited for infractions such as failure to renew frequency authorizations, non-payment of authorization fees, and exceeding approved transmission limits.
Following the NCA’s announcement, President Mahama directed the Minister of Communications, Digital Technology and Innovation to work with the NCA to suspend the planned closures. The media outlets have since been granted a 30-day grace period to rectify their regulatory lapses.
In a statement issued on Friday, June 13, 2025, and signed by its General Secretary, Kofi Yeboah, the GJA expressed appreciation to the President.
He noted that the shutdown would have disrupted essential public communication services, rendered many media workers jobless, and posed a threat to media freedom and freedom of expression.
“We agree with the President that shutting down the radio stations may seriously undermine media freedom and freedom of expression,” the statement read.
While affirming its commitment to ethical journalism and regulatory compliance, the GJA urged the affected stations to use the grace period responsibly to address their deficiencies.
The Association also called on the NCA to promote transparency by publishing the compliance status of all radio and television stations, including details on ownership and licensing timelines.
The GJA, therefore advocated for a balanced regulatory environment that ensures both adherence to standards and the protection of press freedom in Ghana.
