SECTOR 3 The NCA operates under the Ministry of Communications and Technology. According to article 6 of the NCA Act 2008 its Board of Directors is appointed by the President and consists of (a) the chairperson, (b) the Director General [also appointed by the President], (c) one representative of the (i) National Security Council, (ii) National Media Commission, (iii) Ministry of Communications, not below the rank of a director, (d) one person with experience and expertise in communications, and (e) three other persons at least one of whom is a woman and each of whom has knowledge in electrical engineering, law, business or public administration. These last mentioned requirements notwithstanding, appointments are made at the discretion of the President, without any involvement of civil society and in a non-transparent manner. Article 3 describes the functions of the NCA, giving the Authority the power to “grant communication licence” and “regulate and monitor licensees, holders of frequency authorisations in consultation with the National Media Commission where appropriate”. While the NMC which is seen as independent because of the way it is appointed, largely by civil society groups (see indicator 1.1), it plays only a minor role in the licensing of broadcasters: through its one member (out of nine) on the board of the NCA and in regard to regulation and monitoring when (and if ) it is consulted. The NMC does, however, have a certain degree of political power. When the National Security Council wanted to shut down radio stations during the 2008 elections campaign, the NMC fought that attempt successfully. As long as there is no broadcasting law in place there is thus no independent body to regulate broadcasting. AFRICAN MEDIA BAROMETER GHANA 2011 35