Charles Asuako Owiredu is the Member of Parliament for Abirem
The Minority in Parliament has condemned President John Dramani Mahama’s decision to grant clemency to 64 radio stations that were recently shut down by the National Communications Authority (NCA) over various regulatory breaches.
Addressing a press conference on Thursday, June 12, 2025, the Deputy Ranking Member on the Information and Communications Select Committee of Parliament, Charles Asuako Owiredu, described the president’s interference as an attack on regulatory independence.
“This is a clear case of illegal overreach, if the president can override the NCA today, what stops him from interfering in the monetary policies of the Bank of Ghana, the enforcement powers of the Electoral Commission, or the sanctions issued by the Securities and Exchange Commission? This is how regulatory capture begins, under so-called policy justifications that destroy the very independence that holds our institutions together,” he remarked.
The Member of Parliament for Abirem further accused the president of selectively abandoning his commitment to the rule of law whenever it suits his political interests.
“This same president has repeatedly called for the rule of law and institutional independence, yet when it suits his political purposes, he abandons these entirely. I call on the media to condemn the presidential overreach as a violation of regulatory independence, demand the immediate reversal of the unlawful and unconstitutional directive, require the affected stations to comply with statutory procedures, and ensure there are clear boundaries for executive authority,” he stated.
He also called for an independent investigation into the decision-making process behind the president’s intervention, in order to determine whether executive overreach violated provisions of 1992 Constitution.
On Thursday, June 12, 2025, the NCA suspended the operations of the 64 radio stations due to multiple infractions.
President Mahama later directed the Minister for Communication, Digital Technology, and Innovation, Samuel Nartey George, to collaborate with the NCA to immediately restore the broadcast licenses of the affected stations, which included Asaase Radio and Wontumi FM.
JKB/AE
Ever heard of Nkofie, the legendary Kwahu cave believed to grant wishes? Join GhanaWeb’s People & Places as we take you on an exclusive tour of this mystical site:
