Ghana’s communications regulatory body, the National Communication Authority (NCA), has taken off air nine television channels for operating without authorisation.
The affected channels include Obinim TV (OB TV), Kessben TV, ECN, Care TV, Amansan TV, Elijah TV, Zoe TV, BTA and Clive TV most of which are faith-based channels.
According to a statement issued by the NCA, on March 30, 2016, the affected stations breached the guidelines under Section 2(4) of the Electronic Communications Act, 2008, Act 775 which requires operators to obtain frequency authorisation from the Authority before broadcasting. The affected stations also used a third party satellite infrastructure provider to broadcast their programmes via satellite without authorisation.
The channels were identified following a periodic monitoring exercise by the NCA in 2015 to ensure compliance with the broadcasting authorisation requirements in the country. Upon identification, the NCA notified the third party provider and the satellite company concerned and gave them a grace period to ensure compliance, but they defaulted.
Meanwhile the Ghana Independent Broadcasters’ Association (GIBA) has supported the NCA’s action explaining that the association does not condone piracy and disregard for regulations. The president of GIBA, Kwasi Agyeman, urged the NCA to “ensure that everyone adheres to the regulations.”