Closure of Wontumi Radio an Attempt to Silence Our Grassroots – Ashanti NPP Youth

The Ashanti Regional Youth Wing of the New Patriotic Party (NPP) has condemned the closure of three Wontumi Radio stations, describing the move by the National Communications Authority (NCA) as a politically motivated attempt to weaken the party’s grassroots voice.

In a statement signed by Regional Youth Organiser Raphael Patrick Sarfo and issued on Tuesday, August 26, the group accused the NCA of engaging in “a calculated attempt to silence the vibrant voice of our grassroots.”

The affected stations — Wontumi Radio Kumasi (101.3 FM), Accra (95.9 FM), and Takoradi (101.3 FM) — are part of the media network owned by Ashanti Regional NPP Chairman Bernard Antwi Boasiako (Chairman Wontumi).

According to the NCA, the closures were due to unauthorised use of Studio-to-Transmitter Link (STL) frequencies and operations from unapproved transmitter sites. The Authority explained that despite a 30-day grace period granted by President John Dramani Mahama for defaulting broadcasters to regularise their operations, Wontumi Multimedia failed to comply.

The action, the NCA stressed, is in line with Regulation 54 of the Electronic Communications Regulations, 2011 (L.I. 1991), and affects nine stations nationwide, including the three under Wontumi Multimedia.

But the Ashanti NPP Youth Wing insists the enforcement is politically driven. They accused President Mahama of double standards, recalling his past criticism of media closures in opposition.

“It is ironic and hypocritical that H.E. John Dramani Mahama, who once openly condemned the closure of Radio Gold and other pro-NDC stations, is today presiding over the closure of Wontumi Radio. What has changed?” the statement queried.

The group also condemned the alleged arrest and harassment of Akyemkwaa Nana Asare, a presenter at Wontumi Radio and TV, branding it further evidence of political intimidation.

Declaring their readiness to resist what they called “state-sponsored oppression,” the Youth Wing urged civil society, democracy advocates, and Ghanaians at large to stand up against the development.

“We will resist every attempt to use state institutions as tools of political witch-hunting and oppression. Ghana’s democracy must not be sacrificed on the altar of partisan interest,” the statement concluded.

The NCA has, however, rejected claims of political interference, maintaining that the enforcement is strictly regulatory and intended to ensure compliance with licensing laws and technical standards.