GJA commends Mahama for halting shutdown of radio stations
By: Solomon Nartey Tetteh
The Ghana Journalists Association (GJA) has praised President John Dramani Mahama for his decisive intervention to halt the planned shutdown of 64 radio stations across the country. The shutdown, initiated by the National Communications Authority (NCA), was based on various regulatory violations.
According to the NCA, the affected stations were cited for infractions including failure to renew frequency authorizations, operating without valid documentation, exceeding transmission limits, and nonpayment of authorization fees.
However, President Mahama directed the Minister of Communications, Digital Technology, and Innovation to collaborate with the NCA to suspend the shutdown—a move the GJA says averted a potential crisis in Ghana’s media landscape.
In a statement issued on Friday, June 13, 2025, the GJA noted that shutting down such a large number of stations would have had serious socioeconomic consequences, including widespread job losses and disruption of vital public services provided by the media.
“We agree with the President that shutting down the radio stations may seriously undermine media freedom and freedom of expression,” the Association stated.
The GJA commended President Mahama for striking what it described as a thoughtful balance between regulatory enforcement and leniency, reflecting a government responsive to media concerns and committed to promoting pluralism and diversity in the industry.
The Association reaffirmed its opposition to illegality and called for regulatory compliance to be pursued within a framework that upholds journalistic freedom.
