Ghana’s Constitution Review Committee (CRC) has proposed sweeping reforms to the National Media Commission (NMC), including a drastic reduction in its membership from 18 to seven as part of broader constitutional reforms aimed at improving governance efficiency and accountability.
The recommendation forms part of the Committee’s final report submitted to President John Dramani Mahama on December 22, 2025.
Under the proposal, the NMC would be restructured into a leaner body made up of two presidential nominees, including a legal practitioner with at least 18 years of experience, two representatives of media owners, and two professional journalists, with gender balance requirements built into the composition.
The Committee, chaired by Professor Henry Kwasi Prempeh, argued that the current structure of the Commission was too large and required streamlining to improve efficiency and strengthen institutional performance.
The proposed reforms would also significantly change how the Commission is administered.
Instead of relying heavily on part-time commissioners, the Committee recommended that the day-to-day operations of the NMC should be handled by a full-time Chief Executive Officer, designated as the Executive Secretary.
The Executive Secretary would be appointed by the President based on a nomination by the Council of State and subject to parliamentary approval.
According to the report, vacancies on the Commission would be publicly advertised and filled through an open, competitive, and merit-based process supervised by the Public Services Commission.
The Committee further proposed that the Executive Secretary should serve a single non-renewable 10-year term or retire upon attaining the age of 65 years, whichever comes first.
Other board members would serve five-year terms renewable once.
Beyond governance reforms, the CRC also proposed amendments to constitutional provisions on media freedom and regulation.
It recommended revising Article 164 of the Constitution to ensure that any restrictions on media freedom are lawful, proportionate, necessary in the public interest, and limited to protecting the rights and reputations of others.
The Committee also called for stronger financial independence for the NMC, proposing that the Commission become eligible for support from the Democracy Fund to strengthen its operational capacity.
The National Media Commission was established in 1993 under Chapter 12 of the 1992 Constitution to protect media freedom, promote responsible journalism, and regulate media practice in Ghana.
The Commission currently oversees a rapidly expanding media landscape.
Figures from the National Communications Authority indicate that Ghana has 784 authorised FM radio stations and 130 television stations, with 563 radio stations currently operational nationwide.
The current NMC board is chaired by Professor Akua Biritwum and includes representatives from Parliament, the Ghana Journalists Association, religious bodies, academia, the Ghana Bar Association, and media industry groups.
The proposed reforms are expected to trigger national debate over media governance, institutional independence, and the future direction of media regulation in Ghana.
