Ghana’s Experience in Participatory Community Radio

Abstract

This article documents more than ten years' experience of community radio (CR) broadcasting in Ghana and the problems and the challenges community radio has encountered in attempts to apply the key principles and concepts underlying participatory radio broadcasting. Through a description of some main socio-cultural and political change episodes, the article clearly demonstrates how community radio can positively impact the quality of life of people. The study notes that attempts at creating truly democratic community radio stations can be fully realized by ensuring that the fundamental principles, which underpin the operation and democratic management of community radio stations, are actually implemented to benefit community members.

Core Dimensions of Community Radio in Action: The Case of Ghana

“…In an earlier study on CR in Ghana, the authors of this article were interacting with women in Dalon, the base community of Simli Radio in the Northern Region (Diedong & Naaikuur, 2012). Thirty-four year old Amina Seidu, who had been hiding her face in silence, suddenly burst into laughter and disappeared behind a mango tree.…”

“…Royal FM in the Brong-Ahafo region undertook a community mobilization drive to solve an environmental 178 http://globalmedia.journals.ac.za/ problem, which communities within its broadcast areas had been grappling with (Diedong & Naaikuur, 2012). The communities are located in a forest belt where illegal timber-logging activities were rampant.…”

“…The station quickly informed the security agencies who conducted an intensive investigation to the allegation. The move forestalled the likely creation of a communal conflict (Diedong & Naaikuur, 2012). whether their Muslim norms would allow the same generosity if they had been granted the license themselves" (Alumuku, 2007, p. 205).…”

“…The main objective of the present article which draws on some key works on CR in general (Gumucio-Dagron, 2001;Fraser & Estrada, 2001;Alumuku, 2007;Shama, 2011) and some data on CR in Ghana, especially a survey by Diedong & Naaikuur 2012, is to show how CR in Ghana is serving as a communication tool enabling people in communities to communicate within themselves and with the people making the decisions that affect them. Particularly, it discusses the following core dimensions in the operations of CR: (a) facilitating a process of involvement of various sectors of the community in a participatory discussion to define problems and find solutions,(b) providing a selected flow of news information from national,regional, and international sources,(c) mobilizing communities to demand accountability from local government authorities, d) reinforcing local cultural identity and promoting local talents, e) introducing dialogue for peace-building and conflict resolution, f) introducing discussions to address felt injustices, g) promoting indigenous creative practices peculiar to the local 177 http://globalmedia.journals.ac.za/ communities, h) educating people regarding democratic procedures in elections for avoiding corruption, etc.…”

“…In addition, many applications are awaiting approval for the allocation of broadcast licenses to start similar stations in the near future. Most of these stations belong to the Ghana Community Radio Network (GCRN), an umbrella body whose main role has been to build a strong participatory ethos for CR (Diedong & Naaikuur, 2012).…”