The National Communications Authority (NCA) has shut down 4 radio stations within the Bawku municipality of the Upper East Region.
The stations are Bawku FM, Source FM, Zahra FM and Gumah FM.
The NCA in an announcement mentioned the shutdown was beneficial by the Upper East Regional Security Council and the Ministry of National Security.
“This follows the recommendations of the Upper East Regional Security Council, and on the advice of the Ministry of National Security that the operations of the said FM Stations and the incendiary utterances of their panelists/presenters have contributed to the escalation of the Bawku conflict, leading to loss of lives and property in Bawku and its environs,” The NCA wrote in a press launch dated February 24.
“Consequently, the NCA has invoked its powers to shut down the stations in accordance with Section 13(1)(e) of the Electronic Communications Act, 2008 (Act 775) which provides that: “the Authority may suspend or revoke a licence or a frequency authorisation where; the suspension or revocation is necessary because of national security or is in the public interest” the discharge additional defined.
It mentioned, “The NCA will continue to work with all relevant stakeholders to execute its mandate as set out by law and calls on stakeholders to adhere to the tenets and regulations governing the communications industry.”