Accra: The Constitution Review Committee (CRC) has put forward a proposal to amend Article 166 of the 1992 Constitution, aiming to reduce the membership of the National Media Commission (NMC) from its current 18 members to seven. The suggested changes are part of a broader effort to streamline governance and improve efficiency within key state institutions.
According to Ghana News Agency, the CRC has recommended that the new composition of the NMC should include two persons nominated by the President, one of whom must be a legal practitioner with no less than 18 years of experience. Additionally, the Committee suggests that two members be nominated by associations of media owners, ensuring that at least one is female, and two by associations of professional journalists, also with a requirement for female representation.
The CRC highlighted that members of the NMC should be nominated by recognizable bodies and serve on a part-time basis. The day-to-day administration of the Commission would be overseen by a chief executive officer (CEO), acting as an ex-officio member and designated as the Executive Secretary.
The CRC, led by Professor Henry Kwasi Prempeh, formally presented its final report to President John Dramani Mahama on December 22, 2025. The report includes significant amendments to enhance governance and strengthen institutional frameworks, with the NMC being a focal point of these recommendations.
In terms of appointments, the CRC proposed that the Executive Secretary be appointed by the President based on a nomination from the Council of State, with the appointment subject to parliamentary approval. The Council of State would be tasked with selecting nominees through an open and competitive recruitment process managed by the Public Services Commission (PSC). Vacancies on the Commission should be publicly advertised, outlining the qualifications required, with the PSC conducting initial screenings and shortlisting candidates for the Council of State's consideration.
The Committee also suggested that the Executive Secretary serve a single, non-renewable term of 10 years or until reaching the age of 65, whichever comes first. This position would be subject to the same removal conditions as other independent constitutional bodies.
Furthermore, the CRC recommended that other NMC board members serve a five-year term, renewable once. Amendments to Chapter Twelve of the Constitution were proposed to ensure the Commission has sufficient operational resources, including eligibility for subventions and grants from the Democracy Fund.
Regarding media regulation, the CRC proposed an amendment to Article 164 to align media freedom provisions with contemporary standards, ensuring that any restrictions are lawful, necessary for public interest, proportionate, and limited to protecting reputations, rights, and freedoms.
The NMC, established on July 7, 1993, under Act 449 of Chapter 12 of the 1992 Constitution, is tasked with promoting media freedom, encouraging responsible journalism, and managing media-related complaints. Currently, the 18-member governing board of the NMC is chaired by Prof Akua Biritwum, with diverse representation from government, religious bodies, and media associations.
Figures from the National Communications Authority (NCA) show that Ghana has 784 authorized FM radio stations and 130 television stations, with 563 FM stations operational. Among these, 159 are regional, 31 are state-owned, and five are foreign FM stations.