Mahama’s clemency to radio stations ‘mere optics’ – Afenyo-Markin
Minority Leader in Parliament, Alexander Afenyo-Markin, has cast doubt on the sincerity of President John Mahama’s directive to restore 64 radio stations recently taken off air by the National Communications Authority (NCA).
He described the move as “mere optics” in the face of mounting public criticism.
Speaking on the floor of Parliament on Thursday, June 12, Afenyo-Markin argued that the President’s intervention appeared to be politically calculated rather than a genuine effort to promote press freedom or improve regulatory processes.
“Mr Speaker, these are things done for the optics when the political system sees there’s a backlash, it’s a very rich statement, and we take this supposed clemency with a pinch of salt,” he stated.
Earlier in the day, President Mahama directed the Minister for Communications, Digital Technology and Innovation to work with the NCA to reinstate the affected stations without delay.
The directive, issued through Presidential Spokesperson Felix Kwakye Ofosu, emphasised the need to balance regulatory enforcement with media freedom.
The NCA had shut down the stations, including Happy FM, Asaase Radio, and Wontumi FM, citing violations of the Electronic Communications Regulations, 2011 (L.I. 1991), particularly Regulations 54 and 56, and failure to meet certain licensing conditions.
But Afenyo-Markin questioned the apparent lack of coordination within government, suggesting that the abrupt reversal undermines the credibility of the process.
He further implied that the decision may have been a political afterthought spurred by public pressure, rather than a proactive commitment to media rights.
President Mahama’s statement acknowledged that shutting down stations without giving them a fair chance to regularise their operations could have a chilling effect on press freedom.
He instructed that a “reasonable timeframe” be set for the affected broadcasters to comply with licensing requirements.
Despite this, the Minority Leader maintained that the move seemed more reactive than reformative.