Businessman Oscar Yao Doe is puzzled over the decision to shut down some radio stations in the Volta region as he has questioned President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo’s respect for media freedom.

In an Instagram post, Mr. Doe said press freedom is being curtailed following the closure of radio stations and wondered why the president who touts himself as democratic would sit aloof.

“Where is the Akufo-Addo's champion of democracy mantra? Scam! Where is Akufo-Addo's credentials as protector of rule of law? Missing! Scam!” parts of his post read.

“Are we now in authoritarian regime? Are we heading towards a Venezuelan kind of government? Probably. Do we think silencing media freedom and suppression of fair justice is in anyone's interest? No. It's not. Bad for Ghana's ability to be prosperous.”

Doe stated that about eight radio stations in the Volta region had been shut down, insinuating that the decision was taken because the affected are pro-NDC.

About a week ago, the National Communications Authority (NCA) suspended the operations of Radio Tongu at Sogakope in the Volta Region “on the grounds of National Security and in the public interest.”

Prior to this, licenses of some radio stations were revoked.

Communications minister Ursula Owusu-Ekuful at a presser in October 2019 mentioned that a total of 144 FM stations were identified for various infractions with their Authorisations from the 2017 FM Audit. Fifty-seven (57) out of the 144 were closed down in 2018 and 2019 following the decisions of the Electronic Communications Tribunal (ECT).

She added that in accordance with the decisions of the ECT, thirty (30) out of the 57 stations have submitted fresh applications for FM Authorisations, of which fifteen (15) have been processed.

But an unhappy Doe has described Ursula Owusu-Ekuful as a disgrace to democracy.

Below is his full post.

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Why Volta Region? More Than 8 Radio stations have been closed down in Volta region recently, Namely: Tongu radio, Hogbe radio, Sekpele radio, radio kpando, Dayi FM, Akpini FM, light FM, Abacc FM etc. Ursula Owusu is a big Disgrace to Ghana's Democracy. It's only freedom of expression and rule of law society that can create a prosperous society, example: US,UK, Australia,Canada, Europe, Brazil, Argentina , Mexico, India, New Zealand, Etc. So where is the Akufo Addo's champion of democracy mantra? Scam! Where is Akufo Addo's credentials as protector of rule of law? missing! Scam! Are we now in Authoritarian regime? Are we heading towards a Venezuelan kind of Government? Probably. Do we think silencing media freedom and suppression of fair justice is in anyone's interest? No. It's not. Bad for Ghana's ability to be prosperous. Based on his own Deeds and Actions President Akufo Addo is acting against "Public Trust" Hurting Public Confidence"No longer Trustworthy. Akufo Addo has become dangerously incompetent. Volta Region was taken out of 2020 road construction budget and now massive crackdown on Radio stations in Volta Region! What Sin has Volta region committed? Why Volta Region? Sad moment for Ghana.

A post shared by HRH COLOURFUL OSCAR YAO DOE (@hrhoscaryaodoe) on Feb 26, 2020 at 3:30am PST