Radio Gold, XYZ fined GHC65 Million for defaulting in license renewal payment

The two pro-opposition radio stations Radio XYZ and Radio Gold have been fined GH¢ 4,090,000 and GH¢ 61,330,000 respectively for defaulting license renewal payment by the National Communications Authority (NCA).

According to the NCA, Radio Gold’s license expired on September 6, 2000, whiles that of Radio XYZ expired on May 8, 2016.

The National Communication Authority (NCA) on Thursday afternoon shut down the two radio stations for operating without valid authorisation.

The NCA officials went the offices of these two stations with armed policemen.

Radio XYZ and Radio Gold were part of some radio stations that have been operating contrary to the regulations of the NCA.

The NCA in a statement warned that “Radio stations operating without valid authorisations as determined by the 2017 FM Broadcasting Audit are being shut down with immediate effect as an enforcement action in view of the decision of the Electronic Communications Tribunal.”

The NCA further cautioned that submission of renewal application after the expiry of authorisation is not a valid application and shall not be considered.

If this statement is anything to go by, then Radio Gold and Radio XYZ will be required to submit fresh applications.

“It should be noted that, as ruled by the ECT, submission of renewal application after the expiry of authorization is not a valid application and therefore shall not be considered by the Authority. While companies affected by this shut down may submit fresh applications to the Authority if they so wish, these applications shall go through the required procedure for new FM Broadcasting Authorisation and the outcome will be communicated to the applicants.” The NCA explained.

Some members of opposition National Democratic Congress (NDC) have accused the government of its involvement in the shutdown of the two stations.

The Council of Elders of NDC at the party headquarters in Accra were addressing Journalists which was carried live on the two stations when the shutdown was done.