NCA Shuts Down Nine Radio Stations for Regulatory Breaches, Including Three Owned by Chairman Wontumi
The National Communications Authority (NCA) has suspended the operations of nine radio stations across Ghana over various breaches of broadcasting regulations, including three owned by Ashanti Regional New Patriotic Party (NPP) chairman Bernard Antwi-Boasiako, popularly known as Wontumi.
The decision, outlined in an August 12 statement, follows the expiry of a 30-day grace period granted by President John Dramani Mahama for defaulting stations to regularise their operations.
“Six stations failed, refused and neglected to comply with the regulatory amnesty by taking no action,” the NCA said.
While some non-compliant broadcasters addressed infractions during the amnesty, three others failed to rectify certain violations, such as the unauthorised use of Studio-to-Transmitter Link (STL) frequencies and operating from unapproved transmitter locations.
The regulator emphasised that the affected stations were operating without valid Certificates of Compliance, contravening Regulation 54 of the Electronic Communications Regulations, 2011 (L.I. 1991).
The suspended outlets are Donplus Multimedia Limited (Ho, 105.9), Dreams Ghana Media Limited (New Abirem, 104.9), Jam Multimedia Limited (Kintampo, 101.3), Jewel Group Limited (Duayaw Nkwanta, 102.7), Kandai Star Community Radio (Kpandai, 107.3), Unique Gateway Communication Limited, and three Wontumi Multimedia Company Limited stations in Accra (95.9), Kumasi (101.3) and Takoradi (101.3).
The NCA reaffirmed its commitment to enforcing broadcasting rules.
“The NCA will continue to monitor the broadcasting space to ensure compliance with the relevant authorisation conditions and the laws and regulations,” it said.
