Multiplicity of voices in community development through radio in Fanteakwa District, Ghana

Manfred K Asuman,Africanus L Diedong

doi:10.4314/gjds.v16i2.9

Manfred K Asuman, Africanus L Diedong

Open Access

https://doi.org/10.4314/gjds.v16i2.9

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Abstract

The study examines community radio as a channel for development through people’s participation in development activities in the Fanteakwa District of Ghana. The study argues that participation of people is necessary for development. The study employed the concept of participatory development communication and the empowerment theory to help understand the role of community radio in development. Mixed method research design was used for the study. Data was collected through survey questionnaires and semi-structured interviews. Purposive sampling and multi-stage sampling techniques were used to select respondents. It was found that participation is highest amongst people whose preferred channel of contribution to development initiatives is Radio Listenership Clubs. Though community radio station is serving the community, more needs to be done to properly integrate it into the lives of the people. Another finding was that community radio is not necessarily owned by the community, but can be the result of an individual’s entrepreneurial effort. It is concluded that the integration of participatory approaches in radio programming and ownership is relevant because they are more people-centred and can be sustainable. A legislation on community broadcasting is recommended in order to define the role of individual entrepreneurs and NGO’s in establishing community radio stations.Keywords: Community Radio, Community Development, Participation, Empowerment, Fanteakwa District

Highlights

In Africa, community radio is a part of the democratisation process that spread across the continent in the early 1990’s
Making reference to a project called Mobilizing Action for Agricultural Sector Improvement (MAASI), programme producers noted: About 80% of the internally generated funds of the District Assembly is earned from farmers and market women and all their activities, which are sometimes directly or indirectly related to agriculture
The conceptual framework of the study has shed light on how development initiatives require a process of interaction and sharing of information, skills and knowledge

Summary

Introduction

In Africa, community radio is a part of the democratisation process that spread across the continent in the early 1990’s. According to them the most amazing thing about community radio is its potential to allow local people to determine the development dialogue. This means that popular participation in the management and production of programmes is key in running community radio. Participation in programming can be assured with inclusive production formats that encourage and support programme production by organizations from within the community. This can be augmented by facilitating broadcasting public forums, and generally by enabling the free and open exchange of views through horizontal communications between individuals and groups (Teer-Tomaselli and De Villiers, 1998). Participation in community radio allows long-neglected people to be heard and be included in the democratic process

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