AudiencScapes

By Jeremiah Sam & Kwami Ahiabenu, penplusbytes.org

13 April 2010

Accra, Ghana - Community radio in Ghana recently has passed the 10-year mark. The sector got its start in 1999 when Radio Ada went on the air to serve four districts in southeastern Ghana and reached a population of about 600,000 Dagme language speakers in some 150 towns and villages.

Since then, the challenges of securing licenses has kept growth in community radio to a modest pace, with only 19 licenses granted-and only nine of those stations currently broadcasting. This compares with the more than 150 commercial radio stations operating in Ghana.

However, the government appears ready to step up its support for the sector. Speaking at a 10th anniversary celebration last year, Ghanaian Vice President John Mahama said, “the Government is determined to ensure that each District Assembly [there are 170 in Ghana] houses at least one community radio station to enhance effective grassroots communications.”

Last year was also the 10-year anniversary of The Ghana Community Radio Network (GCRN), which tries to use advocacy and publicity efforts to grow the sector. GCRN defines community radio stations as those “about, for, by, and of a specific, marginalized community which ownership and management is representative of a community and pursues a particular social agenda…” The stations are also supposed to be “non-profit, non-partisan and non-sectarian.” Their licenses do not allow for commercial funding, but they are allowed to receive funds from donors.

Indeed, community radio stations in Ghana are characterized by a high level of local participation in programming, which is generally geared toward local needs. Typically, the stations broadcast in widely spoken local dialects, providing local citizens the opportunity to participate in the national political and development dialogue. Dr. Kwame Karikari, executive director of the Media Foundation for West Africa says that the community stations’ use of local languages, symbols and other elements also helps to reinforce local cultures and unite people in common cause. Their programming content typically includes coverage of such development issues as peace, education, gender, youth, fisheries management, land use/ownership, health, civic education, human rights, management of natural resources, environmental management, culture, local entertainment and forestry management.

Radio Ada is a good example of how community stations can benefit the local population. Ada caters to key economic groups in the area such as farmers, fishermen, fishmongers and drivers, while it also focuses on gender and youth issues. Over the years, the community it serves has come to rely on Ada as a source of information and knowledge.

Mr. Isaac Djagebley, Ada’s program director, said, “phone-in segments are particularly important because they are the channel for listeners to share information and news and raise issues that are important to the community”. He added that the station is required to give people a voice in all their programming by using a participatory approach. Kofi Larweh, an officer with the Non-formal education office of the Ministry of Education, added, “Radio Ada is a major partner in our organization’s drive to achieve functional literacy in the community.”

Nene Dr. Akapaglo II, a divisional chief of the Ada fishing community, said the station is playing a crucial role in lowering the number of seafaring accidents by broadcasting weather warnings, education on proper maintenance of outboard motors, better storage of catch and information on where to find the best catch. Akapaglo II said use of local Dangme dialect on the airwaves gives the community a sense of pride and belonging.

Radio Builsa, located in Sandema district of the upper East Region of Ghana, was established by the local Foundation for Information and Strategic Development (FISTRAD) in 2007 with a vision of using community radio as a tool for community development. Radio Builsa broadcasts in the local dialect of Buill to twenty communities and it also serves as an information and education resource center. Alex Ampadu Oware, the stations’ program director, said its programming is focused on resolving conflicts, promoting peace and stability in an area that is prone to violence, and also using the medium to campaign against certain cultural practices such as female genital mutilation, forced marriages and trafficking in children.

Oware added that the station has a phone-in segment that gives people a chance to hold the local District Assembly accountable for how it uses public funds. For example, Radio Builsa recently mobilized the community to ensure the Assembly released money intended for the physically challenged-money which apparently was being diverted to other uses. Oware said the station also educates farmers about how to reduce erosion and prevent bush fires, a common occurence in the region. District Head of Education Augustine Abuzi, a regular volunteer at the station, said it is the best medium for him to reach out to the various parts of the community with the latest government directives on education.

Read more about Radio use and access in Ghana

See our complete Communication Profile for Ghana

[1] The nine stations are: Radio Builsa (Sandema, Upper West Region); Radio Ada (Ada, Greater Accra Region); Simili Radio(Tamale, Northern Region); Radio Progress (Wa, Upper West region); Radio Peace (Winneba, Central Region); Radio Omanye (Pokuase, Greater Accra Region); Dormaa FM (Dormaa-Ahenkro, Brong-Ahafo Region); Royals FM (Wenchi, Brong-Ahafo Region); Radio Afram Plains (Afram Plains, Eastern Region).

Picture attribution: http://www.flickr.com/photos/thefatbuddha/ / CC BY-NC-ND 2.0