Ghana’s Communication Ministry Pushes for Sweeping Broadcasting Reforms

The Ministry of Communication, Digital Technologies and Innovations  has emphasized the need for urgent reforms in Ghana’s broadcasting industry to ensure sustainability, credibility, and resilience. The call was made during the “Broadcasting at the Crossroads” conference, organized by the Africa Media Bureau (AMB) and Citi/Channel One in partnership with the Ministry.

The event, held under the theme “Aligning Policy, Technology, and Global Best Practices for a Resilient Media Landscape,” brought together regulators, policymakers, industry stakeholders, and dignitaries, including former President John Agyekum Kufuor, to discuss the future of broadcasting in Ghana and across Africa.

Ghana currently has more than 700 FM stations and over 100 television channels, making the industry one of the most vibrant on the continent. However, concerns remain about quality and compliance, with some licensed operators remaining inactive for years and others failing to meet regulatory standards. The Ministry highlighted that this undermines service delivery and public trust, stressing the importance of stronger enforcement.

Through the National Communications Authority (NCA), the Government has intensified efforts to ensure compliance with licensing requirements, regulatory fees, technical obligations, and content standards. Broadcasters were urged to prioritize compliance as part of efforts to strengthen credibility in the sector.

The Ministry also raised concerns about exploitative programming practices such as money-doubling schemes, inappropriate religious content, and sexually explicit material, identifying them as threats to national cohesion and morality.

Another key issue addressed was the financial sustainability of the Digital Terrestrial Television (DTT) platform, which has been fully funded by the Government since its launch in 2016. With more than 45 broadcasters yet to pay fees due to policy and legal hurdles, the Ministry announced plans to develop a cost-sharing framework with industry stakeholders to ensure long-term viability.

Looking ahead, the Ministry urged the sector to embrace global trends, including artificial intelligence, 5G, and hybrid content delivery, while prioritizing digital skills development. It further emphasized that regulatory frameworks must adapt to digital convergence and align with international standards to balance innovation with consumer protection.

The path forward was outlined with five priorities: strict enforcement of authorization conditions, regulatory adaptation to digital convergence, investment in local content and media literacy, adoption of emerging technologies, and regional collaboration with benchmarking against global best practices.

These reforms aim to position Ghana’s broadcasting sector as innovative, sustainable, and resilient in a rapidly evolving media environment.