By Vivian Amoah
After years of consultations, revisions, and delays, Ghana’s long-anticipated Broadcasting Bill is finally ready to be presented before Parliament. The bill, which aims to regulate all sectors of the broadcasting space including public, private, and community media is expected to bring significant changes to how the country’s airwaves are managed.
The Ministry of Information confirmed that the final draft is complete and awaiting Cabinet consideration. The move has been welcomed by key media stakeholders, including the Ghana Journalists Association (GJA) and the Ghana Independent Broadcasters Association (GIBA), who say the bill is essential to promote ethical broadcasting and improve professionalism in the media.
“The Broadcasting Bill is long overdue,” said GJA President Albert Dwumfour. “We need a regulatory framework that encourages quality journalism and prevents the misuse of media platforms, especially during election periods.
One of the most anticipated aspects of the bill is its formal recognition of community broadcasting as a distinct sector within the media landscape. Unlike commercial or state-owned stations, community broadcasters often serve rural or marginalized populations, providing programming in local languages and focusing on grassroots development issues.
The Ghana Community Radio Network (GCRN), a coalition of community radio stations across the country, has been at the forefront of the campaign for legislative recognition.
“Community radio is not just a tool for communication it’s a platform for inclusion,” said Lydia Nketia, a coordinator with GCRN. “This bill finally gives our work the legitimacy it deserves.”