NCA Shuts Down Wontumi and other Radio Stations Over Regulatory Breaches

NCA Shuts Down Wontumi and other Radio Stations Over Regulatory Breaches

The National Communications Authority (NCA) has ordered the suspension of operations for nine radio stations across the country for various violations of broadcasting regulations.

The decision comes after the expiration of a 30-day grace period granted by President John Dramani Mahama to defaulting stations to address breaches of the laws and regulations governing FM radio broadcasting in Ghana.

According to the NCA, six of the affected stations — Donplus Multimedia Limited (105.9FM, Ho), Dreams Ghana Media Limited (104.9FM, New Abirem), Jam Multimedia Limited (101.3FM, Kintampo), Jewel Group Limited (102.7FM, Duayaw Nkwanta), Kpandai Star Community Radio (107.3FM, Kpandai), and Unique Gateway Communication Limited (105.7FM, Nkawkaw) — failed, refused, or neglected to take any action to comply with the regulatory amnesty.

Three others — all owned by Wontumi Multimedia Company Limited — were sanctioned for operating without a Certificate of Compliance and for the unauthorised use of Studio-to-Transmitter Link (STL) frequencies and unapproved transmitter locations. These are 95.9FM in Accra, 101.3FM in Kumasi, and 101.3FM in Takoradi.

The NCA said it will continue monitoring the broadcasting sector to ensure full compliance with authorisation conditions, as well as all laws and regulations governing the operation of broadcasting services in Ghana.

The suspension is in accordance with Regulation 54 of the Electronic Communications Regulations, 2011 (L.I. 1991).