The National Communications Authority (NCA) has shut down four radio stations in the Bawku municipality of the Upper East Region.
The stations are Bawku FM, Source FM, Zahra FM and Gumah FM.
The NCA in a statement said the shutdown was recommended by the Upper East Regional Security Council and the advice of the Ministry of National Security.
“This follows the recommendations of the Upper East Regional Security Council, and on the advice of the Ministry of National Security that the operations of the said FM Stations and the incendiary utterances of their panellists/presenters have contributed to the escalation of the Bawku conflict, leading to loss of lives and property in Bawku and its environs,” The NCA wrote in a press release dated February 24.
“Consequently, the NCA has invoked its powers to shut down the stations in accordance with Section 13(1)(e) of the Electronic Communications Act, 2008 (Act 775) which provides that: “the Authority may suspend or revoke a licence or a frequency authorisation where; the suspension or revocation is necessary because of national security or is in the public interest” the release further explained.
It said, “The NCA will continue to work with all relevant stakeholders to execute its mandate as set out by law and calls on stakeholders to adhere to the tenets and regulations governing the communications industry.”
