The Minority in Parliament has said it is troubled by the ongoing exercise by the National Communications Authority (NCA) which has led to selected media houses being subjected to very steep regulatory sanctions.
A statement from the Ranking Member on the Communications Committee, Alhaji A.B.A. Fuseini, said “while we acknowledge the NCA’s right to regulate the communications sector in a manner that ensures compliance with appropriate regulations, we are alarmed by the sweeping and heavy-handed approach under the current exercise.”
It indicated that the move by the NCA would worsen the plight of the country which already had a great number of unemployed people.
“This will only serve to worsen the precarious unemployment situation and add to the hardships Ghanaians are going through. In the light of the foregoing, we urge the NCA to as a matter of urgency suspend the ongoing exercise and use dialogue and more flexible means to ensure compliance with relevant regulations,” the statement said.
NCA is right but...
Last Thursday, the NCA announced that about 131 radio stations had their authorisation revoked or slapped with fines for failing to renew their licences.
The statement said the situation where alleged breaches of regulations dating back several years were suddenly cited as basis for the near-summary closure of radio stations and humongous fines, posed a mortal danger to the expansion of the frontiers of free expression.
It said radio had become a foremost means of expression by large sections of our citizenry since the liberalisation of the airwaves at the beginning of the current democratic dispensation.
Therefore, it said, entities operating within that space, therefore, ought to be acknowledged for their invaluable contributions to the growth of our democracy.
‘Reasonable’ enforcement of regulations
The statement said regulatory enforcement ought to be undertaken in a reasonable manner that factored in the fragilities inherent in the operations of many radio stations.
It said the current revocation and sanctions regime appeared to be monetising the right to free expression and could be construed as an effort to exact retribution particularly against stations that had traditionally been ideologically opposed to the current NPP administration.
“We are at a loss as to how millions of Ghana cedis can be imposed as fines on radio stations, failing which their authorisation will be revoked only to have them sold to other entities for GH¢30,000,” it said.
More job losses
The statement estimated that close to 5,000 people working in the affected stations would be rendered jobless should the current action persist.
“This will only serve to worsen the precarious unemployment situation and add to the hardships Ghanaians are going through”, it said.
Source: Daily Graphic
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Somebody should tell Alhaji to tell the police to allow drivers to use our roads without licences.This I think will create more employment than what he is defending. Alhaji why
After The Minister of Finance had presented the mid year budget review, there was hue and cry about the shortfall in revenue collection. If a law exist that requires the radio stations pay for the renewal of their licenses and within the terms there is a penalty clause, do you blame the current Board of Directors of the NCA for enforcing a law that already is in existence? I became shocked when it was said that the government is targeting 'pro NDC' media houses. Did the current administration ask those media houses not to pay what is due to the NCA and for that matter government? If there should be any blame, thy should blame the Past NCA Board of directors for not enforcing the law which is expected to bring revenue to the government. WHERE IS THE WITCH HUNTING?
Who passed the law? why are you blaming the messenger for the message?
You this fuseini guy and NDC always support wrong doing in the country. Please have a break and think twice before you talk. Because I don't see anything good in you as an MP. you also called yourself MP Infact we always vote for ***barred word*** personality like you and talk any how instead of you condemning the wrong doing you are rather supporting it. You ***barred word***
You this man called Fuseini do you think at all why should people vote for such a person to be a member of parliament infact you dont deserved to be in parliament Do you sleep on a pillow at all? Where were you when your then your government was doing the same to Oman.F.M ***barred word*** over there. you ***barred word***. I swear you NDC party will never, ever, came to power again may almighty God forbid NDC party to come to Your NDC guys talk any how.
The New Government (NPP) need every money due it for use to develop the Country. So NOT MERCY FOR THE CRIPPLE. They will collect EVERY GHANA PESEWA for Development purposes.
The Opposition (NDC) can go to HELL or BURN SEEEA. While some Radio Stations in the country were being Billed with HEAVY Electricity Tarrifs, and Heavy Taxes, these Radio Stations NDC are crying for were NOT PAYING ANY TAX or PAYING ANY ELECTRICITY BILLS. So it is time for them to also PAY TAXES and ELECTRICITY BILLS likewise the other Radio Stations paying PERIOD. No WITCH (Devil) HUNTING in this matter. When they were NOT PAYING anything to the State under JDM's NDC they were happy. Those who were paying at that time NOW do not feel anything because they were paying their Taxes and Everything so they are NOT perturbed now.
if the conditions regarding their operation has not been satisfied shoudl they not be sanctioned? in any cae, whose picture is displayed in the story?