Radio FM Broadcasting

Radio FM broadcasting is the technology of using radio waves to carry information, in this case, sound, transmitted through space and intended for the direct reception and accessibility of the general public.

In Ghana, FM Radio services are classified as follows:

1. Public radio stations
2. Public (Foreign ) radio stations
3. Community radio stations
4. Campus radio stations
5. Commercial radio stations

The Broadcasting service is a communication service in which the transmissions are intended for direct reception by the general public. FM broadcasting is a technique of radio broadcasting that uses Frequency Modulation (FM).

In Ghana, the National Communications Authority (NCA) is mandated by Section 2 of the Electronic Communications Act, 2008, Act 775 to;

• “regulate the radio spectrum designated or allocated for use by broadcasting organisations and providers of broadcasting services”;
• “… determine technical and other standards and issue guidelines for the operation of broadcasting organisations …”
• “… adopt policies to cater for rural communities and for this purpose may waive fees wholly or in part for the grant of a frequency authorisation”.

Sound broadcasting is currently deployed in Ghana using analogue transmission techniques: Amplitude Modulation (AM) and Frequency Modulation (FM). Over the last two decades, AM sound broadcasting has faded, leaving FM radio as the only form of sound broadcasting in Ghana. FM radio broadcasting stations are classified for regulatory administration of the service towards the attainment of efficient use of frequency. The following is the classification of FM radio broadcasting stations in Ghana.

Classification by Purpose:
1. Public – all stations owned and operated by the Ghana Broadcasting Corporation (GBC) and/or any other station established by the Government of Ghana by statutory enactment.
2. Public Foreign – stations established by Foreign Governments through diplomatic arrangements to rebroadcast/relay content from foreign countries e.g., BBC, RFI, VoA.
3. Commercial – stations that are privately owned and operated for-profit and controlled privately by independent commercial groups or individuals.
4. Community - a non-profit broadcasting service provided for a specific marginalised community by a radio or television station whose ownership and management are representative of the community for which the service is provided.
5. Campus – a station operated within the ambit of educational institutions.

Coverage classification:
1. The maximum coverage radius is 45km for Commercial and Public Foreign FM radio broadcasting stations.
2. The maximum coverage radius for Community and Campus FM radio broadcasting stations is 5km. In cases where the definition of the community and the terrain require a variation, the Authority may make extensions to the coverage area but this shall not exceed 25km in any case.
3. There is no coverage limitation on the Public FM radio broadcasting stations.
4. The signal strength at the periphery of the coverage circle/contour with the authorised radius shall not exceed 54 dB(µV/m). This does not mean the station cannot be heard beyond the circle/contour, because the ITU Recommendation BS.412-9 gives a field strength requirement of 34 dBμV/m for ‘acceptable’ service. The Geneva 1984 Agreement governing Sound Broadcasting services in the frequency band 87.5 – 108 MHz sets the field strength of 54 dB(µV/m) as the threshold for coordination of the FM radio broadcasting service in the frequency band.

Location classification:
1. Urban Type 1: - For the major metropolitan assemblies e.g., Accra, Kumasi and Takoradi.
2. Urban Type 2: For the other metropolitan cities that are not as economically viable as the above cities such as Tamale and Cape Coast, as well as the other regional capitals such as Koforidua, Sekondi, Ho, Bolgatanga, Sunyani, and Wa.
3. Sub-Urban Type 1: For the capital of some municipal assemblies and some major towns, e.g., Tarkwa, Oda, Berekum, etc.
4. Sub-Urban Type 2: For locations that have moderate economic activity and moderate population, including some district capitals such as Bibiani, Sefwi Bekwai, Somanya, etc.
5. Rural - The rest of the country.

1.Commercial FM Broadcasting

Applicant must provide the following as evidence of registration and incorporation:
• Certificate of Incorporation (in Ghana)
• Company’s Regulations inclusive of the shareholding structure (NB: The Company should have a minimum of 30% indigenous Ghanaian ownership)
• Evidence of Tax payment/Tax Clearance Certificate (Not applicable to start-ups)
• SSNIT Contribution of Workers (Not applicable to start-ups)

2.Community FM Broadcasting

Applicant must be an entity registered as a not-for-profit organization limited by guarantee and must attach photocopies of the following documents:
• Certificate of Incorporation (in Ghana)
• Company’s Regulations
• Community Support for the FM Radio Station: A list of at least twenty (20) signatories of prominent personalities in the community stating their support for the application for an FM radio broadcasting station in their community. The list should include the Name, Position, Telephone Number and Signature/Thumbprint of the persons.

3.Institutional FM Broadcasting

Applicant must be a tertiary institution established by the Government of Ghana or a private tertiary institution accredited by the National Accreditation Board (NAB).
a. For a private tertiary institution, the following documents should be provided:
• Certificate of Incorporation (in Ghana)
• Certificate to Commence Business (in Ghana)
• Company’s Regulations inclusive of the shareholding structure
• Certificate of Accreditation
b. Government institutions should provide a copy of the legal instrument establishing the institution such as Act of Parliament, Legislative Instrument, Executive Instrument, or Incorporation certificates.

1. Government/Diplomatic Missions
2. Company
3. Individual

Note: It is mandatory to complete the appropriate Customer Registration Form in addition to the Application Form.
Click to download Application Form for Analogue Sound Broadcasting Authorisation