The National Communications Authority (NCA) has ordered the immediate closure of 62 radio stations for regulatory breaches.
Among the stations affected are Happy FM, Asaase Radio, and 60 others.
For Asaase Radio, Gabby Asare Otchere-Darko has explained that the station delayed in renewing its license last year.
“It was to be renewed by October but only done in December 2024,” he stated in a post on X.
Yes, it’s true. Asaase Radio 99.5, which celebrates its 5th anniversary Saturday, has been shut down. The General Manager informs me it’s because the station delayed in renewing its licence last year. It was to be renewed by October but only done in December 2024.
— Gabby Otchere-Darko (@GabbyDarko) June 12, 2025
The shutdown of the multiple radio stations in Ghana is for various reasons, including regulatory breaches, failure to renew licenses, operating without valid authorisation, exceeding permitted transmission, and non-payment of licensing fees.
Following the directive, the NCA has immediately commenced enforcing the regulatory sanctions against the defaulting entities.
There are 28 stations operating with expired authorisations. Some of them were ordered by the NCA in 2024 to cease broadcasting but have persisted in the illegality in breach of Regulation 2 (4 )of the Electronic Communications Act 2008.
There are 14 other radio stations that were issued with notices of revocation for failing to set up within two years from the date of authorisation but subsequently requested for inspection but the process has not been completed due to various lapses they have to rectify but are still on air. Those stations are in violation of Regulation 54 of the Electronic Communications Regulations 2011.
Another group of 13 stations that have applied for authorisation to continue operation and have been issued with authorisation but have not settled the provisional authorisation fee in full and hence do not have the valid authorisation to continue operating.
Seven other stations have paid their provisional authorisation fee but final authorisation is yet to be issued and have not fulfilled the requirement of Regulation 54.
All the affected stations numbering 62 do not currently hold valid authorisation to commence operation and may only resume operations once all regulatory infractions have been addressed and rectified.
Attached below is a copy of the NCA press release
NCA Orders Defaulting FM Broadcasting Stations to Suspend Operations
June 12, 2025 – The National Communications Authority (NCA) has directed non-compliant FM Broadcasting Stations to immediately suspend operations on their respective frequencies for various infractions. The enforcement action has become necessary due to persistent violations of regulatory requirements, specifically Regulations 54 and 56 of the Electronic Communications Regulations, 2011 (L.I. 1991) and the Conditions of their FM Broadcasting Authorisations.
This action follows a directive issued by the Minister for Communication, Digital Technology and Innovation, mandating the NCA to enforce applicable sanctions on stations found to be in violation of the regulations in the recent audit conducted by the NCA to ensure full compliance with licensing and operational requirements in the broadcasting sector.
Following this directive, the NCA has commenced enforcement of regulatory sanctions against defaulting entities identified in the Frequency Audit Report in phases. The categorisation of infractions under the first phase is as follows:
Twenty-Eight (28) stations operating with expired Authorisations. Some of these stations were ordered by the NCA in 2024 to cease broadcasting but have persisted in the illegality. This represents violation of Section 2 (4) of the Electronic Communications Act, 2008 (Act 775).
Fourteen (14) FM stations that were issued Notices of Revocation for failure to setup within two (2) years from the date of their Authorisations but subsequently requested for inspection but the process has not been completed due to various lapses they have to rectify but are still on air. These stations are in violation of Regulation 54 of the Electronic Communications Regulations, 2011, L.I. 1991.
Thirteen (13) FM stations that applied for Authorisation to continue operating and have been issued Provisional Authorisation but not have settled the Provisional Authorisation fees in full and hence, do not have the valid Authorisation to continue operating. This represents violation of Section 2 (4) of the Electronic Communications Act, 2008 (Act 775).
Seven (7) FM stations that have paid provisional authorisation fees but final Authorisation yet to be issued and have not fulfilled the requirements of Regulation 54 of the Electronic Communications Regulations, 2011, L.I. 1991.
A total of approximately sixty-two (62) stations have been affected. These stations currently do not hold valid broadcasting Authorisations or do not have a Certificate of Compliance to commence operations and may only resume operations once all regulatory infractions have been addressed and rectified.
While the NCA acknowledges the vital role radio stations play in national development, it is imperative that all Authorisation Holders strictly adhere to the regulatory requirements and conditions of their Authorisations. Consequently, failure to comply with this directive shall constitute an affront to the prescribed conditions for FM Broadcasting with grave consequences for their Authorisations.
We wish to assure the general public that the NCA remains dedicated to maintaining order in the broadcasting sector. We urge all Authorisation Holders to fully comply with regulatory requirements to help promote an orderly industry.
