Calls for urgent reform of Ghana’s broadcasting laws have intensified, as stakeholders warn that outdated constitutional provisions are weakening regulatory oversight.
Speaking at the “Broadcasting at the Crossroads” forum in Accra, Acting Director-General of the National Communications Authority (NCA), Rev. Ing. Edmund Yirenkyi Fianko, stressed that without legal changes, the Authority remains constrained in effectively managing the broadcasting space.
He explained that under the current framework, the NCA can only reject a broadcasting authorisation if there is no available frequency, provided all other requirements are met.
“The only reason we have to decline a broadcasting authorisation properly when the person has met all other requirements is the unavailability of a frequency,” he said.
Rev. Fianko noted that while the constitution states a licence is not required to operate a mass media outlet, spectrum resources still demand strict regulation.
He emphasised the need for urgent legal reforms to give the NCA broader powers, including assessing market dynamics and enforcing content standards to keep pace with the complexities of a rapidly converging digital media environment.
