Mpraeso MP Warns Communications Minister Against Undermining NCA’s Independence
Davis Ansah Opoku (OPK), the Member of Parliament for Mpraeso, has cautioned the Minister for Communications, Samuel Nartey George, against compromising the independence of the National Communications Authority (NCA) through a selective frequency audit.
Speaking in Parliament, OPK reminded members that the NCA is an independent regulatory body established under Section 9 of the Electronic Communications Act 2008 (Act 775). He emphasised that the Act explicitly states:
*”Except as otherwise provided in this Act, the Authority shall not be subject to the direction or control of any person or authority in performing its functions.”*
He stressed that the Minister lacks the legal authority to instruct the NCA to audit or revoke frequency authorisations. Any such review, he insisted, must be initiated by the NCA itself through due process, rather than being influenced by ministerial directives.
Beyond the issue of independence, OPK also questioned the rationale behind the Minister’s directive to audit only those frequency authorisations granted in the past 60 days.
He argued that if the goal were truly transparency and regulatory compliance, the audit should cover all frequency allocations rather than focusing on a narrow and arbitrary timeframe, which could be politically motivated.
*”Radio is the heartbeat of our democracy. It serves as a platform for people to express their views on issues that affect them—a practice that has sustained our democracy,”* OPK stated.
He warned that selective audits or revocation of frequency authorisations could be perceived as attempts to suppress press freedom and control media narratives.
He urged the Minister to uphold the NCA’s independence and allow the regulatory body to execute its mandate without unnecessary political interference.
Reaffirming radio’s vital role in Ghana’s democracy, OPK stressed that media freedom must be safeguarded at all costs.
He called on Parliament to ensure that regulatory institutions operate with transparency and fairness, guaranteeing that all Ghanaians have unrestricted access to diverse and independent media voices.
Credit: myjoyonline.com
