Community Radio stations should make socio-economic development their priority

February 14, 2010
Sogakope, Feb 14, GNA-Radio Tongu, 92.1 FM, the first community radio station in the Volta Region, was at the weekend inaugurated at Sogakope with a call to community radio stations to make the socio-economic and cultural development of their areas their priority.

It was established by the Tongu Youth and Children Evangel (TOYACE), a Sogakope based community organization in Christian evangelization and youth development, which also marked its 20th anniversary.

Professor Alex Quarmyne, Chairman of the Ghana Community Radio Network, inaugurating the facility, said community radio stations should not undermine the development of their communities by rushing into profit making.

"Community Radio is non-partisan and non profit making. Its objective is the provision of service and contribution to the social economic development of its community" he said.

Professor Quarmyne said funds and equipment themselves do not make a community radio, but the sense of ownership of the people, who must be willing to sacrifice to support the station to survive.

He said though such radio stations can run adverts but cannot accept those that could undermine the development of their areas, explaining that adverts on alcohol for example could be dangerous.

Ada Community Radio, which Professor Quarmyne founded, was said to have turned away mouth watering adverts which where thought to be injurious to the welfare of listeners.

Mr. Elvis Afriyie-Ankrah, Deputy Minister of Local Government, who was represented government, was enthused about the establishment of the station as it would help in enlightening the youth.

He urged them to take education seriously.
Mr. Kobla Woyome Member of Parliament for South-Tongu advised the station against sensationalism which could end up dividing the people instead of uniting them.

Mr. Bestway Zottor, Director of the station, expressed gratitude to many organizations and individuals including the United Nations Democratic Fund for their contribution towards the establishment of the station.

GNA