'You have 9-days left of the 30-day grace period' — Sam George reminds affected 62 radio stations

Minister for Communications, Digital Technology and Innovation, Samuel Nartey George, has issued a stern ultimatum to the 62 radio stations recently shut down by the National Communications Authority (NCA), warning that they have just nine days to regularise their operations or face permanent licence revocation.

Delivering his second quarter update in Accra on Thursday, Mr. George was emphatic that the grace period, granted following President John Dramani Mahama’s intervention, would not be extended for non-compliant entities.

“We have nine days left of the 30-day grace period. Of the 62 stations, only 18 have made an effort to reach out to the NCA to try and remedy their challenge,” he stated.

The NCA ordered the closure of the stations on June 12, citing various regulatory infractions. After public backlash, President Mahama granted a 30-day moratorium to allow affected stations time to rectify their breaches.

However, Mr. George revealed that the majority of the stations—44 out of 62—have failed to engage with the NCA, showing no attempt to comply with the regularisation directive.

“To avoid any perception of political victimisation or witch-hunting, we have directed the NCA that for all the 18 who have reached out, they should send them notices, giving them a 30-day extension,” he said.

But the Minister was clear that leniency would not be extended to those who remained unresponsive.

“For those who made no effort whatsoever, on the expiration of the nine days, enforcement will be carried out again—and this time, I don’t think the president is going to show fair diligence,” he warned.

Mr. George added that stations which have applied for regularisation but are awaiting final approval may continue to operate under test transmission status until the process is concluded.

The Minister’s remarks signal a final warning to defaulters as the government pushes to sanitise the airwaves and enforce compliance across the broadcasting sector.