THE PROLIFERATION OF RADIO STATIONS IN GHANA; AN ASSET OR LIABILITY?

Radio, was first introduced to the then Gold Coast in 1935 when the colonial governor set up a small wired relay station called ZOY. It was to translate BBC programmes to some 300 colonial residents and few privileged elites in the society.

Later, service was extended to Kumasi, Sekondi, Koforidua and Cape Coast which had enormous effect on the lives of the people. However in 1954, the Gold Coast Broadcasting System was established. It later became the Ghana Broadcasting Corporation (GBC) after independence in 1957.

Interestingly, the GBC remained the sole medium of disseminating information to Ghanaians until the nation was ushered back into multi-party democracy in the early 1990s, after periods of instability on the political landscape.

According to Prof. P.A.V. Ansah, one achievement of radio in Ghana has being the forging of a common sense of national identity. During a three day international seminar on broadcasting in Africa held in Accra in 1993, many of the participants pointed out the immense contribution private radio made to the developmental efforts of countries in Asia and Latin America and recommended that African governments should use the national frequency to stimulate development.

A study on the “Implications of Privatization of Radio and Television” in Ghana found that 90% of a sample of 100 experts welcomed the idea of privatization. The respondents who objected were mostly employees from the state controlled Ghana Broadcasting Corporation, arising from their apprehension for competition.

In spite of the calls to privatize radio, the government was still reluctant to allow for privatization.

It was in this light that Dr Charles Yves Wireko Brobbey, “Tarzan” led a team of technicians to operate a pirate radio called Radio Eye. However, security operatives were detailed to close down the station and arrest “Tarzan” and his team of technicians.

The government’s intention of pressing criminal charges against ”Tarzan” and the subsequent confiscation of his equipment led to widespread protests by a section of Ghanaians. The enormous pressure brought to bear on the government forced it to allow private stations to operate in the country. The first radio license was granted to Radio Universe operating from the campus of the University of Ghana, Legon.

Since then, there has been a massive boom in the industry but the question still remains, “Has the Proliferation of Radio Stations in Ghana helped to consolidate Democracy or it has been a medium used to foment trouble or tarnish people's hard won reputation?”

Gradually, radio has come to form an integral part in the information sector. It has become a daily routine for people to listen to radio from dawn to dusk. Without radio it would have been very difficult for people to know the goings on even in the nearest suburb.

Presently, it is very difficult to give a fair account on the number of radio stations operating in the country, as several of them spring up with each passing day.

Stakeholders must not be keen on the quantity but rather play much emphasis on the quality to make the industry very competitive. The use of half-baked journalists with some parading themselves as disc jockeys, newscasters and the ever increasing number of sports presenters leaves much to be desired.

Radio journalism as the name implies, should be something that seeks to educate, inform and entertain the listening public. But what do we see today?

The basics of the ethics have been thrown to the dogs with some presenters almost always making unpardonable mistakes and with impunity. It is even rumoured that some presenters get intoxicated before going on air and of course with its attendance vulgar language and the so called “serial callers” who make me sick everyday… For God’s sake let sanity prevail on our airways, please!!!

It is believed that, the Rwandan genocide between the Hutus and the Tutsis was instigated by the comments of a radio presenter. We are all witnesses to the aftermath of the carnage that happened in that country.

There are about a thousand and one negative things that have happened in our country which can be attributed to some unguarded statements on radio in recent times and in the past. These can be averted if there is circumspection in our utterances or better still if a second look is taken at panelists.

However, it is quite refreshing though that in spite of all these problems, there are very brilliant and exciting presenters and programmes still around. Their in depth analysis, command and the maturity with which they conduct their programmes delight many a listener.

Radio is Ghana’s most popular medium of information, although it is been challenged by increased access to television. It must be therefore be given all the necessary attention it deserves.

In Ghana, there are about 219 radio receivers to 1000 people compared to 13 television receivers for the same number of people. Comparatively, there are over 3 million (3,078,000) radio sets with an estimated audience of 8.2 million compared to 199,000 television sets with estimated viewers of 4 million.

Stakeholders like the Ghana Journalist's Association, the National Media Commission, the National Communication's Authority and the Ministry of Information must all come on board to take contingent measures to bring sanity into the media landscape of which radio plays a prominent role.