The minority leader, Alexander Afenyo-Markin has waded into President John Mahama granting clemency to some 64 radio stations shut down by the National Communication Authority (NCA).
President John Dramani Mahama yesterday June 12, after the NCA shut down some 64 radio stations requested the restoration of Asaase Radio, Wontumi FM and 62 others shut down by the National Communications Authority (NCA).
A statement from the presidency signed by Felix Kwakye Ofosu, Spokesperson to the President and Minister for Government Communications revealed Mahama has requested the restoration of those stations.
Sam George on the floor of parliament stated, “Mr. Speaker, a few minutes ago, His Excellency John Mahama directed that the Ministry work with the regulator at the NCA to allow all the affected radio stations some additional time to correct the identified breaches within a defined time frame,” the minister said.
“This is not the same as the arbitrary revocations and hefty fines imposed under the previous administration,” he told the House.
“As a caring government, the Ministry has also been instructed to waive all the applicable fines.”
“Our goal is not punishment but accountability, order and stewardship of critical resources. This is not routine housekeeping; this is a declaration against impunity and abuse. The airwaves do not belong to the powerful and connected; they belong to the public, and we are bound to govern them transparently and effectively,” he told the House.
“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.”
“Those who fail to do so shall have their authorisation formally revoked under the law. In line with the directive from the President, the Ministry has granted a further 30 days’ grace period to all the faulting entities,” the Minister added.
Sixty-four radio stations were shut down with two radio stations affiliated with the opposition New Patriotic Party.
According to the reports, Wontumi FM and Asaase Radio together with some other stations have been shut down by the National Communications Authority (NCA).
Reacting to the President’s clemency, Afenyo Markin emphasised that the President’s clemency is only a reaction to public backlash on the closure of radio stations.
Afenyo Markin is quoted by GHONE TV to have stated, “The president’s clemency is belated and only a reaction to public backlash on the closure of radio stations”.
See the post below:
The president’s clemency is only a reaction to public backlash on the closure of radio stations… – Alexander Afenyo-Markin (Minority Leader)#GHOneNews #EIBNetwork#GHOneTV #NewsAlert pic.twitter.com/g2buKlMdMH
— GHOne TV (@ghonetv) June 12, 2025
