“These Are Settings” – NPP MP Downplays Station Closures Amid Mahama’s Call for Intervention
A Member of Parliament from the ruling NPP has described the recent closure of some media stations as “normal regulatory settings,” brushing off criticisms and calls by John Mahama for intervention. The MP insists the NCA is simply enforcing the law.
Accra, Ghana –
An outspoken Member of Parliament (MP) from the New Patriotic Party (NPP) has downplayed the political tension surrounding the recent closure of several media stations by the National Communications Authority (NCA), calling the action a routine regulatory process.
The MP, whose identity remains undisclosed in this preliminary briefing, referred to the situation as “settings”—a casual expression suggesting the closures are standard enforcement moves rather than politically motivated crackdowns.
“These are settings, not sabotage,” the MP told reporters. “Every station knows the rules. If you breach them, you face sanctions. That’s the law.”
This statement comes in response to former President John Dramani Mahama’s strong critique of the closures, which he labeled as an attack on press freedom. Mahama has called on the NCA and government to halt what he sees as targeted suppression of dissenting voices and to prioritize democratic values over regulatory force.
Media rights advocates have also joined the conversation, warning that such actions, if unchecked, could create a climate of fear within Ghana’s media landscape ahead of the 2024 general elections.
Despite mounting backlash, the NCA maintains that the affected stations either operated without valid authorization or failed to comply with technical and operational guidelines.
The NPP MP defended the NCA’s actions, stressing that regulatory bodies must be allowed to operate independently without political interference or media sensationalism.
“We cannot politicize everything. Let’s not act like laws don’t apply just because it’s close to elections,” the MP added.
As the debate continues, many are watching to see if public pressure and Mahama’s intervention will influence any reversal or moderation of the NCA’s actions.
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