One Hundred and Thirty-three radio stations have been granted their licenses to operate. Radio Gold and Radio XYZ are part of these radio stations who can resume operations after completing some conditions spelt out by the National Communications Authority (NCA).
This was made known publicly in a statement by the NCA as the outcome of the Authority’s Governing Board meeting held on October 11, 2021, stating the decision to allow these 133 stations both new and old begin operations.
The statement further continued that a complete authorization will be issued to successful applicants who are expected to undergo a workshop after which frequencies will be issued. “This approval from the Board is subject to the applicants attending a sensitization workshop on the terms and conditions of FM radio broadcasting authorizations. The workshop shall clarify the legal, regulatory, and technical requirements for the establishment and operation of an FM Radio Broadcasting station.”
It will be recalled that in May 2019 the NCA shut down Radio Gold 90.5 FM and Radio XYZ 93.1 FM based in Accra.
Officials of the NCA stormed the stations’ premises with armed security personnel while they were on-air and ordered their immediate closure.
The general public is reminded that per Section 2(4) of the Electronic Communications Act, 2008, Act 775, a person shall not operate a broadcasting system or provide a broadcasting service without a frequency authorization by the Authority. Offenders are liable on summary conviction to a fine of not more than three thousand penalty units or to a term of imprisonment of not more than five years or to both, as per Section 73 of Act 775 of 2008.
