The Upper East Regional Security Council (REGSEC) has recommended the reopening 4 radio stations that were closed down for fuelling the Bawku conflict.
The recommendation follows the radio stations’ compliance with conditions set out by REGSEC for their reopening.
On the advice of REGSEC and the Ministry of National Security, the National Communication Authority (NCA), on February 24, 2024, closed down Bawku FM, Source FM, Zahra FM and Gumah FM operating in the Bawku Municipality.
The radio stations were accused of allowing incendiary utterances on their platforms that inflamed tensions in the conflict-prone area and contributed to the escalation of the insecurity situation.
The media outlets, however, protested the action of the regulator and had indicated that they would take steps to reverse the revocation of their licenses.
Giving an update of the situation in the area in an interview on A1 Radio, Regional Minister , Dr. Hafiz Bin-Salih said, “We gave them some conditions to meet and I’m happy to indicate that they have met all the conditions that we have given to them”.
“So we have also written to the National Communication Authority to lift the suspension so that they can go back and carry out their activities”.
He indicated that calm is gradually returning to the area as he said there has been no disturbance in the area for 3 months now.
As a result, he said REGSEC has also recommended a review of the curfew hours to last between 10pm and 4am from the current period of 8pm to 5 am.
REGSEC, he said, is also considering the easing of other restrictions including the ban on smock wearing.
The minister added that REGSEC will take proactive measures to prevent the situation from escalating especially as the country heads to elections.
“As we gravitate towards the December elections, people will want to cash in on the already polarized situation in Bawku to cause mayhem so we want to take proactive measures to ensure that there’s peace and harmony in Bawku and for that matter the entire Upper East Region,” he said.
