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Seasoned journalist, Abdul Malik Kweku Baako has once again launched a passionate appeal on the National Communications Authority (NCA) to restore the operational licenses of Accra-based Radio Gold and Radio XYZ.

Radio Gold and Radio XYZ were taken off air on Thursday, May 9 2019, after personnel of the Ghana Police Service and the National Communications Authority (NCA) stormed their respective premises at Osu and Laterbiorkorshie, both suburbs of Accra.

The NCA said the two stations are among many radio stations operating without valid authorizations.

The Authority enforced the shutdown of radio stations in accordance with Regulations 65 (1) of the Electronic Communications Regulations, 2011, L. I. 1991 which states that “a person shall not use a radio frequency without authorisation from the Authority”.

In August last year, former President John Dramani Mahama described the shutdown of the two stations as a manifestation of Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo intolerance for opposing views.

“I think it’s a pity that these two stations have been taken off [the air]”, Mr Mahama said in a Facebook Live interaction adding: “The authorities are hiding behind regulation and the law, but at the end, it is about free speech and it is about press freedom.”

Revisiting the issue on the Wednesday's edition of Peace FM's ''Kokrokoo'', Kweku Baako pleaded with the NCA to revoke their decision saying ''Radio Gold is one of my favorite stations. It hurts me that they have been off the scene and I've been quietly lobbying for their return''.

"I think that XYZ, Radio Gold, by now should be operating. That's my candid opinion on that matter and I'm helping to ensure that they will be restored. And this is not a matter of government; it's a matter of the NCA. That's where my efforts are directed at," he added.

Mr. Baako however emphasized his call for the restoration of the two radio stations is based on compassionate grounds stressing "it's a plea for amnesty".