Community Radio as Information Dissemination Tool for Sustainable Rural Development in Ghana

ABSTRACT

Community radio represents the opportunity of placing the means of communication in the hands of grassroot people. In the particular case of this study, it was seen as a tool for rural participatory development. It thus provided the need for a study into how community radio is used for sustainable rural development. The study utilized a qualitative research approach to understand the role of community radio in sustainable rural development in Ghana. As a result, two community radio stations were selected for the study. Purposive and convenient sampling techniques were used to select participants who were interviewed with the aid of semi-structured interviews. In all, qualitative data was collected from 34 participants comprising two programmes’ managers, two radio producers, two radio presenters and 28 listeners. The qualitative research approach enabled in-depth understanding of the phenomenon under study. The study found that both community radio stations allow community members access to information services that addressed their livelihood challenges. In addition, the study found that the community radio stations provided the platform for community members to make inputs into programming which specifically addressed their aspirations, perceptions, and desires. The study establishes the need to resource community radios to embark on more livelihood programmes on radio.

Disclosure Statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the author(s).

Correction Statement

This article has been republished with minor changes. These changes do not impact the academic content of the article.

Additional information

Notes on contributors

Stephen Attuh

Stephen Attuh holds a Master of Arts Degree in Communication Studies from the African University College of Communications (AUCC) with specialization in Development Communication. He also holds a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Communication Studies with specialization in Strategic Communication. Prior to that, he obtained a Higher National Diploma (HND) in Purchasing and Supply from the Accra Polytechnic (now Accra Technical University). Stephen has is a Research Assistant in Ghana’s Parliament. Prior to that, he worked as a Communications Officer with Metro Mass Transit Limited (MMT).

Philip Kwaku Kankam

Philip Kwaku Kankam is an information professional with several years of experience in librarianship and information studies. He holds a PhD in information studies from the University of KwaZulu Natal as well as BA and MA degrees in information studies from the University of Ghana. He is currently a Senior Lecturer in the Department of Information Studies, University of Ghana, Legon.