The National Communication Authority (NCA) has closed down four radio stations located in Bawku, which is situated in the Upper East Region.
The affected media outlets include Bawku FM, Source FM, Zahra FM, and Gumah FM. In a statement released on Saturday, February 24, the Authority clarified that this action was carried out based on the recommendation and advice provided by the Upper East Regional Security Council and the National Security Ministry.
According to the NCA, the utterances of the panellists and presenters of the affected radio stations were contributory factors to renewed tensions in Bawku.
“This follows the recommendations of the Upper East Regional Security Council, and on the advice of the Ministry of National Security that the operations of the said FM Stations and the incendiary utterances of their panelists/presenters have contributed to the escalation of the Bawku conflict, leading to the loss of lives and property in Bawku and its environs,” The NCA said in a press release on February 24.
“Consequently, the NCA has invoked its powers to shut down the stations by Section 13(1)(e) of the Electronic Communications Act, 2008 (Act 775) which provides that: “the Authority may suspend or revoke a license or a frequency authorization where; the suspension or revocation is necessary because of national security or is in the public interest”, the statement added.
They sent a piece of advice to media houses in Ghana to ensure that they follow the rules and regulations of journalism in the country.
“The NCA will continue to work with all relevant stakeholders to execute its mandate set out by law and calls on stakeholders to adhere to the tenets and regulations governing the communications industry,” the statement concluded.
