The National Communications Authority (NCA) has officially shut down 62 radio stations, including Asaase Radio and Wontumi FM, following serious regulatory violations.
The two are part of 62 FM broadcasting stations across the country that the NCA suspended over multiple regulatory breaches.
The enforcement action targets stations found to be operating with expired authorisations, unpaid license fees, or failure to meet setup conditions stipulated under the Electronic Communications Act and its accompanying regulations.
The move comes after months of monitoring and multiple warnings issued to both stations, according to a press release from the NCA.
The NCA cited non-compliance with licensing conditions, failure to renew operational authorisations, and breaches of broadcasting standards as the primary reasons for the closure.
This decisive action is part of the NCA’s ongoing efforts to enforce broadcasting regulations and maintain order in Ghana’s media space.
According to NCA officials, Asaase Radio and Wontumi FM continued to operate despite lapses in their regulatory obligations.
The stations reportedly failed to submit required documentation and ignored repeated notices demanding compliance with Ghana’s Electronic Communications Act and NCA guidelines for FM broadcasting.
The NCA emphasised that the shutdown is part of a broader strategy to ensure that all broadcasters adhere to legal and technical standards. “This is not about targeting specific stations,” an NCA spokesperson explained. “It’s about enforcing the rules fairly across the board.”
Impact on listeners
The shutdown of Asaase Radio and Wontumi FM has generated significant public reaction.
Both stations have large listener bases and strong political affiliations, particularly Wontumi FM, which is associated with key figures in the New Patriotic Party (NPP).
Out of the 62 affected stations:
- 28 were found to be operating with expired authorisations.
- 14 received authorisation but failed to set up operations within two years, breaching regulatory timelines.
- 13 are operating under provisional authorisation, despite having paid the required fees.
- 7 stations paid provisional fees, but final authorisation is pending due to non-fulfilment of requirements under Regulation 54 of the Electronic Communications Regulations.
The NCA reiterated that all broadcasters must comply fully with licensing obligations to remain operational and assured the public that the authority will continue its monitoring and enforcement efforts.
