Ghana’s Minister for Communication, Digital Technology, and Innovation, Samuel George, has urged owners of 62 radio stations suspended by the National Communications Authority (NCA) to regularize their operations within a 30-day grace period or risk losing their licenses permanently.

The stations were ordered to halt operations on Thursday over breaches of the Electronic Communications Act of 2008. President John Mahama intervened, directing a temporary reprieve in the name of protecting free speech and media freedom.

However, the move has drawn criticism from opposition lawmakers, who argue that the president’s directive undermines the authority of regulatory institutions and could set a troubling precedent.