Sam Nartey George has identified Ghana’s broadcasting sector as being in a state of crisis, attributing the chaos directly to political interference. Writing in MyJoyOnline, the former minister and Ghana Journalists Association president argued that the proliferation of radio and television stations is not a result of organic market growth but rather a consequence of politicians distributing frequencies as political souvenirs. He stated that both the National Democratic Congress and the New Patriotic Party have contributed to this saturation through partisan conduct disguised as national interest.
The data presented by George illustrates the scale of the expansion. In 2017, Ghana had 471 authorised FM stations, a figure that exceeded the number of stations in Nigeria, which has a population six times larger. By 2023, that number had risen to 747. According to National Communications Authority figures from June 2026, there are now 793 authorised FM stations, with 571 operational. When combined with 170 television authorisations, the total reaches 963 stations for a population of approximately 35 million. George questioned whether this represents media pluralism or an industry drowning in political patronage.
George traced the root of the problem to the distribution of frequencies by successive governments. He noted that politically exposed persons frequently acquired authorisations without resources, treating them as commodities. This practice created a saturated market where quality journalism was sacrificed. He recalled that when the current government attempted to reduce transmission coverage from 100 kilometres to 45 kilometres, petitions for sanity went unheeded, further facilitating allocations.
The columnist also highlighted the failure to enact comprehensive broadcasting legislation over the past two decades. Earlier drafts sought to prohibit political ownership, but these measures were resisted. The 2024 draft relaxed these prohibitions, reflecting the fact that many politicians were beneficiaries. George argued that regulation must be lawful and independent, calling for the disclosure of real owners and the end of speculative trading.
Beyond traditional media, George warned that social media platforms have amplified the crisis through misinformation. He cited fabricated stories and hate speech that have inflamed tensions. He noted that some political actors finance these abuses only to complain when turned against them, describing this as hypocrisy. He concluded that the solution lies in passing a constitutionally sound broadcasting bill and empowering the National Media Commission, rather than resorting to arbitrary closures.