Introduction
IDEG is implementing the SIIE-IR 2023-2025 project, designed by the EU in response to gaps identified by the EU Election Observer Mission during the 2020 general elections in Ghana. Five of the 18 electoral reform recommendations have been prioritized, including the transfer of licensing and sanctioning powers from the NCA to the NMC, creating a single independent media regulatory authority. This recommendation aims at sanitizing the airwaves, particularly during election periods to safeguard the integrity of elections in the country as well as national cohesion. This is priority five of the recommendations.
Having met with a plethora of stakeholders, the project team decided to meet with the NCA since they are a major stakeholder in this recommendation. As such, on 8th June 2023, the leadership of the National Communication Authority (NCA) was consulted to determine their organization’s perspective on the feasibility and desirability of the EU’s recommendation and any alternative approaches to implementing it.
In attendance from NCA were; Prof. Ezer Osei Yeboah-Boateng (Deputy Director), Olivia Quartey, Nana Dufie Badu, Joseph Mireku, Isaac Boateng, Evelyn Bediakoh-Adu, Sarah Lamptey, Naa Aorkor Asihene, Gloria Boateng and Kwame Gyan. IDEG was also represented by Dr. Emmanuel Akwetey (Executive Director), Kwesi Jonah, Patricia Konadu Kwakye, and Maame Afua Asantewaa Adusei.