NDC’s Benjamin Abuga defends Mahama’s clemency for closed radio stations, dismisses theatrical claims
According to Abuga, President Mahama’s call for a 30-day grace period for the affected stations reflects his unwavering commitment to press freedom and democratic governance.
Benjamin Biadana Abuga, a communications team member of the National Democratic Congress (NDC) in the Navrongo Central Constituency, has pushed back against suggestions that President John Mahama’s directive to reinstate the licenses of 64 closed radio stations is a political gimmick.
Speaking on the Big Mike Breakfast Show on Friday June 13, Abuga firmly rejected claims by the New Patriotic Party (NPP)’s Moses Amoah that the President’s intervention was mere theatrics.
According to Abuga, President Mahama’s call for a 30-day grace period for the affected stations reflects his unwavering commitment to press freedom and democratic governance.
“President Mahama values the freedom of communications; he doesn’t want to create any culture of silence under his regime. What the President did is highly commendable.” Abuga said.
He argued that rather than using the incident for political gain, the President acted decisively to uphold media freedom and protect the livelihoods of those working in the affected stations.
“The President, as tolerant and patriotic as he is, intervened because he thinks some people will lose their daily bread and some media houses will be denied the freedom to express themselves.” Abuga added.
The NCA had earlier suspended the operations of 64 radio stations for non-compliance with broadcasting regulations. The swift reaction from the Presidency, however, reversed the suspension pending a 30-day compliance window, triggering mixed reactions from political actors and civil society groups.
Mike 105.3FM | Navrongo | Alexander Bombande
