Right Honourable Speaker,
FM radio broadcasting remains the most widespread and accessible medium of mass communication in Ghana. For many, especially in rural areas, radio broadcasting is more than a source of information and entertainment.
It is a trusted lifeline for civic engagement, public awareness (including emergency alerts), and national dialogue. It
connects people to the Government, the economy, and each other, often in real-time
and in local languages.
In recognition of its critical importance, FM radio broadcasting is governed by a clear legal and regulatory framework designed to safeguard technical standards and integrity, ensure the orderly use of the spectrum, and serve the public interest.
Mr. Speaker, Under Ghanaian law, any entity seeking to establish and operate an FM radio station must first obtain a frequency authorisation from the National Communications Authority (NCA). Per Regulation 54 of the Electronic Communications Regulations, 2011 (L.I. 1991), the authorised entity is required to construct and operationalise the station within two (2) years of receiving this Authorisation.
Before any station is permitted to go live, the station must invite the NCA to inspect the construction and installation of the station to certify that the station conforms to the standards established by the NCA for radio broadcasting in Ghana. It is upon the grant of a Test Transmission Authorisation or a Certificate of Compliance that the station can commence operations.
This process is not optional. It is the legal foundation for ensuring that our national spectrum is used responsibly, professionally, and in the public interest.
Mr. Speaker,
The term of an FM radio broadcasting authorisation is five years. Under Regulation 56 of the Electronic Communications Regulations, 2011 (L.I. 1991), a renewal application must be submitted to the National Communications Authority (NCA) at least three (3) months before the expiration of the existing Authorisation.
Failure to comply with this timeline results in the applicant being treated as a new applicant by the NCA. The Electronic Communications Tribunal affirmed this position in the case of Ghana Independent Broadcasters Association v. National Communications Authority, Appeal No. ECT/APP/002/2017.
Where a new authorisation is granted pursuant to a failure to follow the renewal timeline, the applicant is required to comply afresh with the obligations outlined in Regulation 54, including technical inspection and certification, before going live.
Additionally, upon receiving Provisional Authorisation, applicants must pay the applicable fees within sixty (60) days of the Authorisation. Failure to do so renders the Authorisation null and void by operation of law.
Mr. Speaker,
On 12 February 2025, shortly after I assumed office as the Minister for Communication, Digital Technology and Innovations, I issued a directive to the National Communications Authority (NCA) to produce a complete listing of frequency authorisations granted or renewed within the preceding 60 days.
The objective of the audit was to produce an accurate and up-to-date inventory of all assigned, unassigned, and unauthorised frequency holdings in Ghana. It also sought to identify cases of spectrum hoarding, detect underutilised frequency bands, and strengthen enforcement actions against entities operating outside the law.
However, alarming revelations unearthed by the initial exercise necessitated expanding this directive to a nationwide forensic audit of all FM broadcasting authorisations, aimed at discharging our sacred duty to manage state assets with integrity, a duty which this administration holds near and dear as evidenced by our unwavering commitment to the “Operation Recover All Loot” (ORAL) initiative.
Mr. Speaker,
The NCA’s audit report showed several cases of non-compliance with the Regulations and conditions of Broadcasting Authorisations. The preliminary audit revealed over 600 active radio stations with frequencies, many of which were clearly inactive, expired, or improperly renewed. The audit also showed over 60 cases of irregular renewals, rendering the renewals null and void due to the irregularities.
In some instances, Mr. Speaker, renewal applications were filed on the 5th, 9th, 12th, and 16th of December 2024, and the Board gave its approvals on 23 December 2024.
These renewal applications, going by the Justice Date-Baah ruling earlier referenced, were of no effect as they were made during the ninety-day window in which authorisations could not be renewed.
However, as a compassionate government with a paramount interest in proper stewardship of national resources and assets and in ensuring that the right thing is done, rather than knee-jerk public rebuke and noise, we have adopted a nuanced but urgent approach to rectifying the situation, engaging affected entities and providing opportunity for regularisation (with strict timelines) where feasible.
Consequently, Mr. Speaker, I directed the enforcement of the rules for all stations in violation in a phased manner. In the first phase, six (6) stations were closed for operating without valid Authorisations. Some of the stations had not applied for renewal of their expired authorisations, and some had incomplete applications, including the non-submission of Tax Clearance Certificates and SSNIT clearance certificates.
Others had not paid their provisional authorisation fees. Upon rectification of the lapses, I directed the NCA to allow the stations to resume operations.
Mr. Speaker,
As of this morning, the NCA has commenced phase two of regulatory enforcement following the broadcasting frequency audit. This phase targets several categories of non-compliant FM stations whose operations contravene existing laws and regulations and includes the following:
1. Twenty-eight (28) FM radio stations which are currently operating with expired authorisations. Despite the NCA instructing them to cease operations in 2024, several of these stations have continued broadcasting unlawfully.
These actions constitute a violation of Section 2(4) of the Electronic Communications Act, 2008 (Act 775), which prohibits the operation of a public electronic communications service without valid Authorisation from the NCA.
2. Fourteen (14) FM stations which were issued Notices of Revocation for failure to establish operations within the required two-year period following the grant of their authorisations. These stations later requested technical inspections but have not completed the process due to various outstanding lapses pending rectification. Nonetheless, they continue to broadcast in violation of Regulation 54 of the Electronic Communications Regulations, 2011 (L.I. 1991), which outlines the steps and timelines required for the lawful commencement of operations.
3. Thirteen (13) FM stations that applied for Authorisation to continue operating and have been issued Provisional Authorisation but have not settled the Provisional Authorisation fees in full. Without payment of these fees, the Authorisation remains invalid. Continued broadcasting in these circumstances represents a further breach of Section 2(4) of Act 775.
4. Seven (7) FM stations have paid their provisional authorisation fees but have not yet received final authorisations, having failed to fulfil the technical and regulatory requirements under Regulation 54 of L.I. 1991. These stations are operating prematurely and unlawfully.
Mr. Speaker, Radio spectrum is a finite and highly valuable national resource. It is a public good held in trust for the people of Ghana. Those granted access must, therefore, comply strictly with all applicable legal and regulatory obligations.
A few minutes ago, the President directed that the Ministry work with the Regulator to allow all affected stations some additional time to correct the identified breaches within a defined timeframe. Those who fail to do so shall have their authorisations formally revoked under the law. All affected stations have been granted a thirty (30) days window to comply and remedy all identified breaches to avoid a permanent revocation of their
authorisations.
This is not the same as the arbitrary revocations and hefty fines imposed under the previous administration. As a caring government, the Ministry has also been instructed to waive all applicable fines for the violations.
I have received calls from Colleagues on both sides of the aisle this morning notifying me that some interests they hold may have been affected by the ongoing exercise. Dear Honourable Colleagues, we passed the law and have a high bar set for ourselves as Honourable Members to lead the way with exemplary conduct.
As a Ministry and Regulator, we are status agnostic and would be fair to everyone irrespective of ethnic, religious, political or social affiliations.
Let me reassure this House and the people of Ghana: this Government is committed to the firm, fair, and impartial enforcement of the laws governing FM broadcasting. No entity, regardless of status or political affiliation, is above the law.
Our goal is not punishment but accountability, order, and the responsible stewardship of a critical public resource.
Mr. Speaker,
This is not routine housekeeping. This is a declaration against impunity, abuse, and inertia. The airwaves do not belong to the powerful and connected. They belong to the public. And we are duty-bound to govern them transparently and effectively.
Our fight is not against free speech. It is against lawlessness, asset misappropriation, and regulatory defiance. I remain committed to reclaiming what rightfully belongs to the Ghanaian people and laying the foundation for a fair, modern, and technologically equipped broadcasting sector.
May God bless our Homeland Ghana and make her great and strong. Thank you
