NCA: Radio Gold, XYZ to be granted original frequencies
The NCA says reports suggesting that it had backtracked on its decision to maintain the original frequencies of Radio Gold and others are false
The National Communications Authority (NCA) has dismissed reports suggesting it has rescinded its decision to allow some radio stations, including Radio Gold, to maintain their original frequencies.
The clarification follows media reports that the NCA has backtracked on its decision after recently approving new radio licence applications by Radio Gold, Radio XYZ and over 100 others.
A statement issued by the NCA on Tuesday (26 October) said: “The NCA wishes to correct this erroneous impression considering that the decision to assign the original frequencies to applicants which previously held them had already been made at the time of announcing the Board approval of the said applications.
“However, the frequencies were to be communicated to the stations only after the payment of the requisite authorization fees as is the case for all new applicants for FM radio broadcasting station authorisations.
“The general public is informed that the NCA has preserved the original frequencies of the said stations since their close down and this should indicate the authority’s long held intentions in this regard,” it said.
Below is the full statement:
The attention of the National Communications Authority (NCA) has been drawn to a publication on www.myjoyonline.com dated 24th October, 2021 and titled: “NCA backtracks on Radio Gold, others not having their original frequencies”. The caption of the publication creates the impression that the NCA had made a decision not to grant the original frequencies of Radio Gold and other defunct radio stations and has subsequently reversed the decision.
The NCA wishes to correct this erroneous impression considering that the decision to assign the original frequencies to applicants which previously held them had already been made at the time of announcing the Board approval of the said applications.
However, the frequencies were to be communicated to the stations only after the payment of the requisite authorisation fees, as is the case for all new applicants for FM radio broadcasting station authorisations.
It is the practice of the NCA, since its inception, to disclose frequencies to be assigned to FM radio broadcasting stations only after the successful applicants have paid the authorisation fees, thereby fulfilling the conditions of their provisional authorisations. This was the position stated by the Ag. Head of Engineering, Rev. Ing. Edmund Yirenkyi Fianko, on JoyNews’s Newsfile edition of 23 October 2021. The Director General, Mr. Joe Anokye, sent the message confirming the grant of the original frequencies only to allay the fears of panellists who expressed concern that the original frequencies may not be assigned to the said stations.
The general public is informed that the NCA has preserved the original frequencies of the said stations since their close down and this should indicate the Authority’s long-held intentions in this regard.
Fred Dzakpata
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