Regional Minister of Upper East, Dr. Hafiz Bin Salih, has reassured that steps are being taken to lift the temporary suspension on the four radio stations recently closed in Bawku, Upper East Region, by the National Communications Authority (NCA) due to security concerns.
He indicated that this action would enable the affected radio stations to resume operations once their management teams sign a memorandum of understanding (MoU) committing to operate in a manner that ensures the ongoing peace and security of the Bawku municipality.
Dr. Salih made these remarks while addressing a query from William Nlanjerbor Jalulah, the Upper East Regional Chairman of the Ghana Journalists Association (GJA), during an engagement with media representatives last Sunday.
This interaction was part of the minister’s efforts to engage with key stakeholders since assuming office as the new regional minister, aimed at garnering media support for the region’s development.
On February 24, 2024, the NCA closed Bawku FM, Source FM, Zahra FM, and Gumah FM under heavy military presence following a recommendation from the Regional Security Council (REGSEC).
According to a statement from the NCA, this decision was made following advice from the Ministry of National Security to prevent these FM stations’ activities from exacerbating the longstanding conflict in Bawku, which has resulted in loss of life and property.
The statement cited inflammatory remarks by panelists and presenters on these stations as contributing factors to the escalation of the conflict.
Managers
According to Dr. Salih, the radio station managers were informed during the meeting last Friday that an agreement was being drafted for their signature, which would allow the stations to start up.
He said, “so as part of the conditions, management of the affected stations are expected to train their presenters to prevent them from making comments and utterances that have the tendency to fuel the conflict.”
He stressed the training would be extended to all radio stations operating within the Bawku enclave and that all of them would be invited to a meeting to demonstrate or show evidence that their presenters had gone through training as expected.
“Once they are able to satisfy these agreed conditions, REGSEC will lift the ban on their operations since they have a critical role to play in the country’s democratic governance,”he stated.
The minister said although he would be in the region for a few months, the legacy he would want to leave behind was to bring sanity to Bawku, so that residents could go back to their normal social and economic lives.
In response, Mr. Jalulah, the Regional Chairman of GJA, gave the minister the assurance that the media will offer the necessary backing to allow the government to carry out its development agenda in the region for the people’s ultimate benefit.