GBC URA Radio is 25

By: William N-lanjerborr Jalulah, Bolgatanga

The Ghana Broadcasting Corporation (GBC) URA Radio in Bolgatanga, on Saturday, climaxed its months-long 25 th Anniversary celebrations with a suggestion to the board and management of GBC to allow the regional offices of the corporation retain a certain percentage of the revenue generated at the regions.

Mr. Tahiru Abdul-Razak Mohammed, GBC URA Radio Director, who made the suggestion, said if his idea is bought by management, it would forestall the cash flow problem being experienced by the regional offices which impedes their operations.

He buttressed his suggestion with the explanation that since all the regional offices now had internal auditors who can monitor the revenue generated there would be no room for mismanagement or misappropriation of the revenue generated.

GBC URA Radio was commissioned in December 1986 in the then Upper Region.

In its 25 years of operation, the network has contributed greatly in educating, entertaining and informing the people, and as well, transformed their cultural and socio-economic lives through programmes that sought to unearth the potentials in the people who previously had no access to a mass medium of expression.

As part of the network's anniversary, it can now be accessed on line via GBC's official website: www.gbcghana.com http://www.gbcghana.com/ . This development, moreover, serves as an opportunity for all indigenes outside the region and in the diaspora to listen to programmes of their choice.

In spite of successes chalked by GBC URA Radio, Mr. Tahiru said the network was faced with a lot of challenges.

He said URA Radio was the only GBC regional FM station without a standby electricity generator, and as a result, any slight power outage from VRA at the station results in the total shutdown of both radio and TV transmissions in the whole of the region.

Other challenges are inadequate staff for some local languages of the station, including Kusaal, Kasem, Buli and Bissa; lack of fence wall; lack of maintenance of staff quarters, and absence of accommodation for staff; lack of air conditioners; and lack of effective means of transport.

He, therefore, appealed to the board and management of the corporation to consider the plight of URA Radio and come to its aid.

He paid growing tribute to the past directors, managers and pioneering staff of URA Radio, such as Joseph Abaane, Lawrence Tuumwai, Melaine Kasisie, Rudolf Akanlo, and Adolf Dasaa for their various roles during the set-up stage of the station.

In a speech read on his behalf, the Upper East Regional Minister, Mr. Mark Woyongo, congratulated the management and staff of URA Radio on the occasion and for their insightful programmes that had served the people well over the years.

Touching on the theme, 'URA Radio @ 25: Tool for promoting peace and development,' the Regional Minister said the promotion of peace was a prerequisite for development, and no effort should be spared at achieving it.

Mr. Woyongo reminded the management of the station about the stiff competition they faced as a result of the increasing number of private radio stations in the region, and the fact that listeners had become sophisticated and demanded quality output.

They should, therefore, make efforts to analyze the truthfulness and quality of their news and delivery.

The occasion was graced by chiefs and traditional leaders, some politicians, including Mr. Moses Asaga, Member of Parliament for Nabdam and Minister of Employment and Social Welfare, journalists and some regional directors of GBC.