Mr Samuel Nartey George, Minister of Communication, Digital Technology and Innovation, has called for practical reforms to shape Ghana’s broadcasting sector into an inclusive, competitive, and digitally ready industry.
Speaking at a high-level forum organised by Africa Media Bureau (AMB) on the theme “Broadcasting at the Crossroads: Shaping Ghana’s Electronic Future,” the Minister stressed that sustaining profitability and viability in the media landscape required “deep reforms and consolidation” through collaboration between practitioners and regulators. The forum, held in Accra, was sponsored by K-NET and WAP, with support from ChannelOne TV and Citi FM.
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He noted that many broadcasting stations were battling high operational costs driven by stiff competition from digital platforms and fragmented advertising revenue. To address these concerns, the Ministry, in partnership with the Ministry of Government Communications and stakeholders, would re-examine the current Broadcasting Bill to ensure it reflects today’s realities.
Underscoring the role of broadcasting in democracy, social cohesion, and economic development, Mr Nartey George observed that Ghana’s media space, with over 700 FM stations, more than 100 television channels, and a fast-growing digital ecosystem, was vibrant but must also focus on improving quality.
He highlighted government’s collaboration with the National Communications Authority (NCA) in auditing FM and TV authorisations and undertaking spectrum monitoring to ensure compliance. These measures, he said, were to safeguard spectrum integrity and strengthen the authorisation regime. Broadcasters were urged to renew licences on time, pay fees, and comply with technical standards.
“The ongoing rapid transformation of broadcasting presents both challenges and opportunities,” he said, urging broadcasters to embrace digital transformation, adopt new technologies, and invest in skills to remain competitive. He added that partnerships with telecom operators, technology providers, and international organisations were essential.
While acknowledging the value of new media in complementing traditional platforms, the Minister cautioned that digital spaces must not become a “Wild West” where falsehoods and reputational damage thrive unchecked. He emphasised that though editorial discretion is constitutionally protected, regulation of broadcast standards remains the Ministry’s mandate.
Mr Nartey George also called for strict regulation to rid the airwaves of charlatans posing as religious leaders, unscrupulous fetish priests, and pornographic or sexually explicit content that undermines societal values.
Former President John Agyekum Kufuor, who attended the forum, urged wealthy and influential Ghanaians to support the establishment of strong broadcasting outlets comparable to Al Jazeera or CNN to help project African stories positively to the world and foster intra-African trade under the Africa Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA).
