Community radio as a platform for development communication in Ghana

Abstract

The paper’s aim is to demonstrate the relevance of applying the core principles of Community radio (CR) as a basis for CR’s drive for a democratically participant approach of communication, which can facilitate development communication. In a democratic society, the participation of people in decision-making processes is important. However, in Ghana people’s participation in decision-making processes seems inadequate. Community participation in the management of resources and discourses about people’s general well-being can be more meaningful if people are empowered to communicate. Since the wind of democratization blew across Africa in 1990s, government monopoly over the media is somewhat relaxed. In this context, the emergence of CR movement in Ghana is important. However, until identified gaps in efforts geared towards making CR an enabler for communities to participate in development in collaboration with stakeholders are plugged, the power of CR to engender community development would seem intangible. In this regard, a critical review of documents on CR’s contributions to development is relevant. This paper’s general contention is that despite the over two decades of the presence of CR in Ghana, some fundamental principles of CR are hardly applied to enable CR facilitate participatory communication in Ghana. This has implications for the realization of the rationale for which community radio stations are established.

Keywords:

• community radio
• development communication
• principles of community radio
• democratic participant theory
• Ghana

1. Community radio presence in Ghana

With over two decades of operation of community radio (CR) in Ghana, it is worth noting that CR movement has carved a niche for itself in the media landscape. In 1997, Radio Progress in the Upper West Region of Ghana was the first to be established. The establishment of Radio Ada in 1998 followed this pioneering action. It is important to note that prior to the setting up and operation of these two pioneer CR, the CR concept and its modus operandi was hardly known in Ghana. Remarkably, it can be observed that the political will to promote the initiative seemed to have been manifested within the context of the deregulation of broadcasting in Ghana in 1995 by then National Frequency Regulation Control Board, now known as National Communication Authority (NCA). The long-awaited desire of activists in radio broadcasting such as Dr Wereko-Brobby whose pioneering role in testing the constitutional waters by the establishment of “private eye radio” without authorization acted as a catalyst to compel the political authority to move to liberalize the airwaves. This also triggered a series of positive and laudable initiatives by the CR movement in Ghana.

In 1999, Ford Foundation provided seed funding, which supported the organization of a workshop to lay the foundation of an association of community radio in Ghana. Today, the Ghana Community Radio Network (GCRN) with its headquarters in Accra, is an internationally recognized body with over 50 membership scattered across the sixteen regions of Ghana. NCA, in its 2016 data, announced that 79 Community Radio stations had been given authorization in the country to operate (Dzisah, 2020, p. 138). In the long history of radio broadcasting, dating back to 1935 its performance has been constrained by a number of factors, which include managerial, financial, technical and professional issues. It is noteworthy to single out a powerful factor, which over the years have reared its head in the efforts of the broadcasting sector to liberate itself from the control of both the state and media owners to operate independently in the public interest. The colonial, pre-independence and post-independence governments for a very long period viewed radio broadcasting as a channel to control and manage information they deemed useful and appropriate for the cause of national development.

In Ghana, for a long time, the joy of receiving radio signals containing messages and information of national relevance only reverberated within limited radius mostly in major towns and cities in Ghana. The question is: How can state-monopolised radio based in the capital meets the demands of local and rural audiences that are hundreds and sometimes thousands of kilometres away? A broad swathe of the Ghanaian populations in rural areas could hardly listen to radio because of this one-sided and elitist top-down mode of broadcasting that prevailed until the late 1990s. The advent of the concept of CR and the community radio movement in Ghana can be described as a real game-changer in the electronic broadcasting arena. Essentially, not only has CR accentuated the need to see the airwaves as a public resource, which should be equitable and well managed for the benefit of all segments of the populations in Ghana, but more importantly it has put CR at the crossroads of growing public discourse about community development and good democratic governance. Indeed, GCRN is one of the key civil society organizations (CSOs) at the forefront of the advocacy for the passage of the Broadcasting Bill in Ghana into law. Notwithstanding the intense debates and controversies of the need for a broadcasting law, its proponents believe that it could promote the work of CR among other things.

The discussion in this chapter is premised on the understanding that, there is a need for a shift from operating a model of radio broadcasting, which is closely tied to the modernization paradigm of development to one that is broad-based and participatory and in tandem with the character and philosophy of democratic governance and sustainable development. Indeed, CR is one of the dividends of the process of democratization unfolding in Ghana. It is often said that CR is the voice of the voiceless and vulnerable communities. This suggests that it should mainly operate with the philosophy of the “people’s radio” and with a participatory and responsive approach to work. This paper examines how the work of CR, specifically, how the guidelines within which it operates and the results benefit the large majority of its audience: “legitimation through results” – a phrase borrowed from Eberlie (2011, p. 29). Section One deals with some core principles and concepts of CR. Section Two focuses on the democratic-participant theory as a guide for the operations of CR. Section Three is about participatory approach to producing programmes: an ideal or real practice? Section Four and Five deal with Participatory approach to producing programmes and challenges and prospects of CR. Section Six is the chapter’s conclusion.

1.1. Core guidelines, principles and concepts of community radio

The relevance of communication can be observed in how people compare it to the air we breathe. Communication is pervasive in all that we do. Hence, the axiom “we cannot NOT communicate.” According to Srampickal (2009, p. 21), people naturally communicate, it is instinctual, leading to relationship and community. The communal dimension of communication is at the heart of understanding the communication efforts of CR. Communication goes beyond mere diffusion of information. Its real meaning is experienced through a process of exchange and sharing of meaning, the fostering of social relationships, which can bring about the creation and sustenance of social institutions.

In practice, the operation of CR should facilitate the development and progress of communities. Community exists where there is a sense of shared vision and promotion of the common good of its members. It implies that fundamental guidelines should underline the mode of CR communication to realise the shared vision of community. Some notable guidelines include reliance on truth that builds the community, empathetic communication that helps one sees from the other person’s perspective, a genuine commitment to create a space for responses from audiences and collaborators and a sense of moral obligation to speak to build a communicating community. In a classical insightful and elaborate discourse on the timeless value of these guidelines, White (2000, p. 285) notes that Athenian Greeks, some six hundred years before the Christian era, were among the first to create a democratic process of community decisions that allowed all citizens to participate in the decision-making process (Dzisah, 2020). These guidelines for good public participation have come down to us through Roman sources and the European heritage of the Romans. The modern democratic constitutions (see Chapter 12 of 1992 Constitution of Ghana) throughout the world have drawn on these sources and philosophical-legal discussions about media’s relation to democracy.

The guidelines enumerated above are quite similar to principles of communication of the World Association for Christian Communication (WACC). The principles of WACC cited in Eilers (1997) include communication creates community, communication is participatory, communication liberates and communication supports and liberates cultures. Eilers (1997) could not have stated it better when he noted that the basis for upholding such principles is because modern communication contains both the potential for solidarity and the threat to humanity. In a global village characterised by what seems to be a clash of cultures and seemingly contesting values, it is important that as communities become more closely knitted than before, the content of communication should be spiced with life-giving values capable of uniting people around development agendas that improve the quality of lives of members of communities. Journalists and producers of CR live within communities and should be advocates of community development through the programmes they produce.

Given the nature of the operations of CR in Ghana, it can be normatively argued that communal model of journalism seems to inform their work. The local community is taken as the basic point of reference while simultaneously the reporting practices are more than just community journalism. “Community” in this context is understood in the widest sense, involving cultural collectivity (see Skjerdal, 2012). A sample of the following conceptualizations of CR seems to allude to the notion of “Community” as a vital factor:

i) By community radio we refer to small-scale community radio focused on community participation at all levels … Community radio is people-oriented and encourages participatory and horizontal communication … Community radio is people and local organisations. This implies that all components of the community have to be involved in the project, and so such a community radio should be owned and controlled by the community, and not only by one constituent, even if it is a denominational Church.

CAMECO “Information Bulletin”. Issue 2 and 3/1992

ii) Stations that exercise broadcasting as a service to the community and communication as a right of all people. They seek to build a common path to support and strengthen the communication of our people. Radio stations that recognize themselves as an integral part of the community in which they participate. And as a medium they develop a pluralistic and participative communication, open to the need for expression of the social and cultural sectors with less possibility of access to the media for exclusively commercial purposes. That they exercise the right to communication and, especially, the right to information. That they carry out the broadcasting as a service and not as a simple commercial-profit activity.

Argentine Federation of Community Radios, FARCO, Argentina

iii) Community radio is radio that is about, for, by and of a specific, marginalized community, whose ownership and management is representative of that community, which pursues a participatory social agenda and which is non-profit, non-partisan, and non-sectarian.[Definition in the National Telecommunications Policy of the Republic of Ghana drawn from the Ghana Community Radio Network (2003) and based on the African Charter on Broadcasting]

iv) Historically, the philosophy of community radio is to allow those who have no voice to express themselves, to serve as a spokesperson for the oppressed (be it a racist, sexist or social class oppression) and, in general, to offer a tool for development. Community radio is defined from three aspects that characterize it: it is a non-profit activity, the community has control over the property and is characterized by community participation. It is necessary to be clear that the objective of community radio is not to do something for the community, but rather to give the community an opportunity to do something for itself, such as having control from your own media.

“What is Community Radio?” AMARC Africa y Panos Africa Austral, 1998.

It is evident as Jolly (2016, p. 191) had observed that a main pillar of the conceptual importance of CR is that “it is the mode for expressing local perspectives that for various reasons are unrepresented in other media.” Indeed, each of the above definition encapsulates at least one or two of the key five principles of community broadcasting (see Fairbairn, 2009; Girard, 2007; Reader & Hatcher, 2012).

1.2. Community radio as a distinct broadcasting medium

Given the number of radio stations that freely operate in Ghana and the different titles of newspapers and magazines on the newsstands, generally Ghana is often described as enjoying a vibrant and pluralistic media environment. Three main forms of radio are in operation in Ghana:

• State Radio

• Commercial Radio

• Community Radio

Among them, the state-owned radio, which stated work in 1935 dominated the airwaves for several years until 1992 when “Tarzan Wereko-Brobby and his directors braved the storm to pioneer private radio against an overwhelming coercive state force (Akpabli, 2020: iv). The ground-breaking action by Wereko-Brobby and his directors to a large extent broadened the frontiers of radio broadcasting and set the stage for the hitherto unknown and unique model—CR to begin operations in 1997. It is documented that earlier on in 1994–1995, under the UNESCO local radio development project, GBC had set up in Apam (Central Region), an experimental community radio station (Karikari, 2020).

Since the dawn of CR’s operations in Ghana, several empirical research work (Al-Hassan et al., 2011; Alumuku, 2006; Diedong & Naaikuur, 2015; Manfred, 2019) demonstrate some distinctive features, which seem to make CR quite a unique model of broadcasting:

1.2.1. Strengthening a sense of community and the local cultural climate

If there is one distinguishing factor, which makes CR quite a good attraction to its audience more than public and private radio stations, it is its proximity to the pyscho-sociological concerns of communities through programming that has local flavor and value. If numbers were to be actually counted amidst the cacophony of voices on radio prior to the advent of CR, the voices of rural-folk and marginalized communities were largely undermined. However, it is the work of CR, which has re-awaken the media and broadcast journalists in particular to give more attention to the peculiar socio-cultural needs and development problems of deprived and rural communities in Ghana. It is a fact that language is a mirror of the identity of people. However, English Language has dominated the airwaves to the detriment of native languages. Despite the challenges involved in broadcasting in indigenous language (Agyekum, 2020), credit ought to be given to CR for consistently promoting and giving a sense of pride for its use. For example, Alumuku (2006, p. 171) documented that Radio Ada is philosophical, which is similar to Radio Peace and Radio Progress by “giving a voice to the lower status people of the community, sustaining the growth of Dangme culture, and encouraging, promoting and contributing to informed dialogue and reflective action.”

1.2.2. Promotion of education and livelihood improvement

A laudable initiative of some CR is efforts they are making to not only educate people to obtain entrepreneurial skills and knowledge on how start and manage small-scale business to improve upon their livelihood, but also to learn how to collaborate of local and international partners to take advantage of business opportunities. Economic empowerment of rural and peri-urban communities is a focal area in Sub-Saharan Africa (SSA) in era of growing unemployment worsened by the devastating impact of the COVID-19 pandemic, particularly in developing countries. Despite weak structural transformation in SSA, inclusive socio-economic is very much needed to realise sustainable development in line with the UN's sustainable development goals. Greater attention and advocacy for investments are needed in parts of Ghana where poverty seems to be endemic. In Northern Ghana in particular, the challenging situations of livelihoods and the significant levels of deep poverty in the zone requires a collaborative and committed effort to address the problem. A UNDP (2018) highlights that people’s capacities need to be enhanced through investment in social sectors to ensure adequate provision of services and opportunities. Simli Radio, a community radio in Northern has paved such opportunities for the unemployed to be educated and engaged in productive ventures. According to Al-Hassan et al. (2011) there is increased enrolment through the School for Life Literacy programme being broadcast on the station; reduced out-migration by young girls (Kayayei) due to the station’s enlightenment and an increased use of fertilizer by farmers. A later study of Dery and Kwode (2017, p. 37) confirmed the findings of Al-hassan et al., by noting: “Farmers’ Time is one of the many programmes on Simli Radio. It seeks to draw farmers’ attention to new farming technologies that will protect the environment due to climate change, increase food production and improve households’ living standards.”

1.2.3. CR are noted for their strong grassroots support

The system of decentralised governance, which was introduced in Ghana 1988 to enable people to some extent directly participate in governance process through the District Assembly requires that the media in general provide relevant information and support to enable people at the grassroots make informed decisions and choices for themselves. Resources within communities and those that come to communities as a share of central government ought to be judiciously managed. Diedong and Naaikuur (2015, p. 85) documents the transformative power of Radio Progress “Community Development Agenda” (Tengmaal Yella) programme in a village. “At Kagyoli area in the Wa Municipality, the environment was being degraded by the illegal logging of trees with the connivance of some prominent people in the community. The farmlands of the community were also destroyed by the cattle of some Fulani herdsmen. Though members of the community have suffered at the hands of these illegal chainsaw operators and Fulani herdsmen they did not take any action to redress the problem. When the issue was discussed on air with the active participation of the community members, these negative practices ceased immediately.”

1.2.4. A forum for multiplicity of voices articulating different concerns about local development and governance

CR is medium for the expression of their views and concerns about growth and development of their communities. The voice of the people for whom development activities are executed is a force, which should be counted and remain visible. Community radio serves a rallying point for soliciting information from the various development agents (both internal and external) through dissemination of local ideas and local interest in the community development process. According to Manfred (2019, p. 100) people’s inputs in local initiatives and governance through CR is made manifest in the Fanteakwa district in the Eastern Region of Ghana. “The programme and platform by the station allow us to present and explain our programmes and plans to the people. In relation to expenditure and others, it is helping the assembly members become more responsible and their work has become transparent. Previously, it was difficult to meet certain departments under the assembly and even know their plans for the upcoming year, but now with just a text message or phone call into a studio programme you can know everything about activities and developments going on in the district (Field interview, December, 2017).”

The numerical growth of CR, which has been estimated at 81 by the NCA (2020) may be congruent with the extent to which voices are multiplied daily on air, and can be seen as an index development. The question is: In the Ghanaian democratic dispensation in which all voices seem to count—whether “from above” or “from below” should plurality of voices be equated with diversity, and “an ethical-political process of social change” implicit in development discourse? (see Dzisah, 2020, p. 35) There are more questions than answers to be unravelled in the question posed. Suffice it to note that theoretically through whatever positive lenses the multiplicity of voices on CR may be perceived, it is difficult to clearly gauge its qualitative value.

The nationwide proliferation of community radio, whose operations, arguably are hardly in line with ideals of authentic CR may be viewed by broadcasting media activists and media freedom advocates as significant progress. There is room for improvement to make the performance of CR more impactful. This is possible if there is real political will and commitment to pass the Broadcasting Bill into law to legitimate the real ethos, canons and the underlining principles of CR. The passage of the law can encourage and galvanise the efforts of individuals and development partners who share GCRN’s vision of radio as an instrument and vehicle for community development.

1.3. Democratic-participant theory as a guide for the operations of CR

The advent of citizen journalism is a phenomenon broadening the public sphere and subsequently throws searchlight on the scope of the role of the individual citizen in a democratic dispensation. However, in Africa within a polarised political culture (See Chikerema & Chakunda, 2014; Hasty, 2005; Ibrahim, 2015), in which techno-elites (Lin, 2012) seem to take centre stage in socio-political discourses in mainstream media channels and social media, it may not be far-fetched to state that lower-status individuals and groups have little space in these discourses.

In this vein, the necessity for practical and accessible channels, which are community-based cannot be over-emphasised (Ndolo, 2005; Nelson, 2017). The tenets of the Democratic Participant Media Theory (DPMT) supports the creation of a functional space for democratizing communication for development for the common good. Oosthuizen (2002: 47) outlined the principles of DPMT as follows:

• Individuals and minorities must be able to claim right of access to the media and have their needs served by the media;

• Groups, organisations and communities must have their own media;

• The media must serve the needs and interest of recipients; their existence should not be exclusively linked to the needs of media organisations, professional workers and advertisers.

• Communication is too important to be left to professionals (McQuail, 1989; Roelofse, 1996:59-60).

McQuial (2010) notes that the DPMT focuses on the interests and role of the media in a political society: the right to accurate information, pluralism and active participation of the citizen. Other scholars (Dahl, 1991; Held, 2006) highlight society’s expectation of the media to create a participant society by providing access to information that is diverse, which in turn aids informed decision-making free of government control. CR radio is a platform, which ought to create space for people, especially marginalised communities to participate actively in development communication discourses. However, it seems people’s participation in such discourses on CR is minimal and at best tokenistic. Meaningful participation in CR by community members should be purposeful, engaging and sustainable. In CR “empowered participation” is needed, that is when relevant stakeholders take part throughout the whole cycle of a development initiative and have influence on the decision-making process (Waisbord, n.d.). The participatory approach to development efforts at the community level with the tacit assistance provided by CR is also aimed at “knowledge diffusion and technology transfer … reliance upon local knowledge and local capability” (Jacobson, 2004, p. 65). This also entails a more nuanced “horizontal and rural-based communication … and reverses the perception of the media as a distributive agency to one of communicative machinery” (Dzisah, 2020, p. 19). It is the empowered mode of participation, which should define the true character of CR in action because the participatory principle is community-engineered with a radical approach to empower citizens (Dzisah, 2020). This type of participation is relevant since it taps into the indigenous knowledge and expertise in communities. Despite the benefits of empowered participation, it seems to be a highly eulogized term, but poor in terms of its application to facilitate development communication discourses in CR.

In order to bring community into the process of developing democratically based media can adopt/adapt five main steps Hochheimer proposed (Hochheimer, 1999, p. 247):

• Identifying the participants

• Defining the issue or problem

• The problem solving process and resource identification

• Setting goals and objectives including assigning roles and responsibilities

• Design of action plan and community feedback.

Though the process seems laborious and demands lots of resources, audiences are beginning to appreciate attempts albeit weak geared towards adoption of such participatory steps in CR because in the long run they positively impact their lives (see Alumuku, 2006, pp. 177–184). It seems the programme formats of CR in Ghana and parts of Africa (see Semujju, 2014, p. 207) to a large extent are delinked from these participatory steps. Active participation in producing quality of programmes cannot be overlooked. Hence, the Participatory Development Communication Model advocated by scholars (Servaes, 2008; White, 2009) is a useful model, which can guide efforts aimed at facilitating participation in planning and programming in CR.

1.4. Participatory approach to producing programmes: an ideal or a real practice?

Almost all basic texts on development communication and community broadcasting recognise participation and access as core factors in any meaningful development programmes aimed at improving the quality of lives of people (FAO, 2006; Lush & Urgoiti, 2012; Melkote & Steeves, 2001; Servaes, 2008; Sparks, 2007; White, 2009). Ideally, it is essential that successful communication in communities within a purposeful and interactional framework emphasises on community inputs. Participatory approach to producing programmes is considered an ideal because it is rooted in the democratic-participant normative media theory, which focusses on the interests and citizens’ role in communication in the process of development. As an ideal, participatory approach to producing programmes is a herculean task for CR in Ghana.

In the aftermath of the World Congress on Communication for Development in 2007, Ghana took some policy initiatives, which can be considered as evidence that the country is on her way to recognising the importance of integrating communication into development progrommes and projects. In the Ghana Shared Growth and Development Agenda (2010–2013) policy document, the need for the development of a comprehensive development communication strategy to drive communication around the Medium-Term Development Policy Framework and other important national development communication objectives was highlighted. In keeping with the letter and spirit of this policy document and the emphasis that “Communication for Development allows stakeholders to take part in development projects and programmes at the initial planning stage, ensuring a better design and the required buy-in by those most affected development change (FAO, 2007:x)”, the Ghana Community Radio Programming Code is seen as a functional document for members of GCRN. At the heart of the Programming Code of the Ghana Community Radio Network (GCRN) is its participatory development philosophy. The Programming Code of the GCRN derives its legitimacy and power from the constitution (1992) of the Fourth Republic of Ghana and also refers to basic source documents such as the National Media Policy and the Broadcasting Standards of the National Media Commission.

Over the years, GCRN members are guided in their programmes production by the following objectives in the Programming Code:

• Support equitable development

• Provide a forum for informed dialogue among community members and stakeholders.

• Give voice to marginalized groups and concerns

• Affirm and strengthen cultural expression

• Draw out and promote indigenous knowledge

• Promote transparent and accountable governance at all levels

• Encourage a just peace, promote tolerance and facilitate conflict-prevention

• Enhance responsible community, national and global citizenship.

The task of producing quality radio programmes, which should usually have the inputs of community members, requires investment in human and material resources. Such resources are hardly at the disposal of CR since most of them operate with limited budgets. Despite such limitations, from Ada to Winneba through to Tamale and Wa some significant progress in programming are worthy of note (see Al-Hassan et al., 2011; Diedong & Naaikuur, 2012). For instance, from Radio Ada, Alumuku (2006, pp. 182–83) documented that under a programming format that sought to identify with the community aspirations, dressmakers, farmers, fishmongers, drivers and people of other professions had been involved in programme production. Such a programme provides a forum for the exchange of ideas by people within the same field of work. Assistance has been found for persons of the various trades who needed advice on issues such as how to acquire financial loans to improve their production. Prior to the development of the Livelihood Empowerment against Poverty in Ghana, the needs and voices of vulnerable persons, particularly physically challenged, seemed to have played a second fiddle role in development discourses. Radio Progress has managed to produce a socially relevant programme for physically challenged persons known as “Te Lantaa Kpiebu,” which means in Dagaare “Living together in unity.” In a finding on “Participation in community-based programming: key to defining communication in “community,” community members noted that community-based programming holds the key to effectively carving out the boundaries of “community” in terms of its identity, norms, socio-cultural elements, symbolism, interests and needs (Diedong & Naaikuur, 2015, p. 81). Myers (2008) notes that world-wide radio has had many proven successes in development terms and there has been some efforts recently to gather some of these experiences together to form a robust body of knowledge. Across Africa, the need for CR programmes to be produced by and with the people is being noted as a core ingredient in CR broadcasting philosophy (see Quarmyne, 2001). However, its implementation on a well-planned, co-ordinated and sustained basis is fraught with challenges and problems, which needs to be addressed.

1.5. Challenges and prospects of CR broadcasting in Ghana

Even though participation is one of the main factors, which ought to underscore the mode of operations of CR its actual application, is quite elusive. A number of reasons accounts for the seeming inertia on the part of CR to demonstrate in a focused and consist manner the participatory principle in the operations and management of CR. Ensuring participation of community members and other relevant stakeholders in programming and in the management, CR is costly and time-consuming. It requires a planned and co-ordinated training programming to train the staff, volunteers and other collaborators in the work of CR. The adoption of participatory methodology for producing programmes has not yet gained firm grounding among GCNR members. Without effective participation in the operations of CR, a few hands managing the stations in the purported interests of communities can compromise good governance principles such as transparency, responsiveness and accountability needed in the efficient management of CR.

While Habermas et al. (1974, p. 49) of public sphere talks about “conversations in which private individuals assemble to form a public body,” in a democratic setting, the phenomenon of lop-sided management of CR in a few privileged hands smacks of fueling social inequality. Therefore, the process and style of governance of CR require modification. By doing so, the diversity factor, which does not necessarily equate pluralism in terms of the growing numbers of CR in Ghana, would have a prime place in efforts aimed at strengthening the performance of CR. In fact, Karikari (2020, p. 45) notes: “So, pluralism and diversity are not predicated necessarily on numbers, multiplicity. The main test is about how diverse views and ideas are expressed and how the media ensure presentation of the concerns and interests of diverse sections of society, and most especially those of the marginalized and minority.”

The issue of funding is not peculiar to CR in Ghana. As radio stations, which operate with the principle of not-for-profit making, the availability of funds to sustain the work of CR the world-over is a challenge. CR reliance on external donor support to complement their budgets is not bad. However, the possibility of dwindling funding from such sources can weaken the scope of activities and quality of the operations of CR. The issue of inadequate funds can be surmounted through ingenuity and hard work of CR operators. Radford FM in Tumu, Upper West Region, which receives modest support in kind and cash from community members, demonstrates that CR can overcome their financial debility if they appropriately engage communities in the governance and operations of the stations. CR are situated in varied contexts, community participation in CR may not easily come forth in the same way as at Radford FM. Though participation is a core dimension in CR, its implementation seems complex. According to Golooba-Mutebi (2004 cited in Mutsvairo & Karam, 2018) participation places demands on ordinary people’s lives, when they are already overburdened by demands of their own lives.

In 2010, the broadcast transmission radius of CR was re-confirmed as limited to a radius of 5kms. GCRN representatives in a courtesy call on NCA in July 2017 tried to raise the impossibility of carrying out the community-building and development mission of CR within an arbitrary 5-km radius. The response was: “Show the logic.” The purpose of any intended restriction exercise cannot be attained in the evolving digital context whereby ICT enables convergence of media systems for maximum benefits. With globalisation, it is important to point out that news is becoming de-territorialised. In the changing media environment whereby the transnational mobility of news is facilitated by the “borderless infrastructure of the Internet,” it may be difficult for such a national policy to prevail in the long term (Widholm, 2019, p. 1476). The GCRN has expressed concerns about the restrictions, which is denying marginalized communities, particularly those in the hinterlands their right to communicate. Indeed, the convergence of media systems offers a window of opportunity, which the CR in Ghana is yet to exploit to add more value to their services. The future of radio in Africa will revolve around the integration of digital platforms in the operations of CR. Therefore, radio stations need to adopt “multi-platform businesses that offer not only radio, but also TV, on-line, websites and events for listeners” (Beham, n.d., p. 24; Semujju, 2013).

2. Concluding remarks

Real participation in CR is yet to take firm roots in Ghana. Without the active and widespread participation of communities in CR it may be impossible to talk about the art of facilitating participation in programme production. Multi-media approach in programme production, which is a gap in programme production in Ghana needs to be plugged. The performance of CR can be effective, attractive and more impactful if GCRN members begin to make a conscious effort to combine radio with print, discussion groups, interpersonal contacts, action groups and on-line presence. This requires that radio producers are equipped with the art of facilitation, which White (1999) had noted could unleash the power of grassroots communication. If this does not happen, it may be difficult to perceive the uniqueness of CR in the envisaged media role in facilitating participation in the public domain and contributing to public debates (Curran, 1991).

Diversity, which seems to be a weak element in CR, yet vital for proving that different viewpoints in the CR doted across Ghana is actually important in the programmes, has implications for the sustainability of the stations. The visibility of CR in Ghana is not in doubt, but what matters most is how the voices of people in community development initiatives are integrated into CR in a sustainable and equitable manner.

A nagging issue, which seems to belie adherence to fundamental principles of CR is the nature of ownership and governance structure of CR. Principles and processes guiding the membership, appointments and tenure of office of board members CR looks unstandardized. It is important that these issues are considered and appropriate guidelines incorporated into the draft Broadcasting Bill to legitimise core areas of governance in CR.

The CR movement in Ghana has come a long way. The GCRN collaborates with media regulatory bodies such as NCA, National Media Commission and Ghana Journalists Association on a number of issues ranging from policy issues related to frequency allocation to training workshops for members of GCRN. Members of the GCRN have received financial assistance from external donor partners such as CISU (Civil Society in Development) to implement useful projects such as “Participatory Community Radio and the Right to Communicate—A Singular Pathway to the SDGs.” Given the level of interest in the activities of CR and its modest achievement so far, there is the need for continuous research and, especially periodic evaluation of the work of CR in Ghana by academics, media experts and independent media agencies.

Despite the importance of evaluation research as a valuable management tool for examining the quality of performance of an organization, it is yet to become an institutionalised practice in CR. Continuous research in development communication is important because research shows that “development communication is not sufficiently appreciated by decision makers of development organisations.” The main reason attributed to the situation in a survey on development communication conducted by Adams Rogers, Chief of the Communications and Public Information Unit of the United Nations Capital Development is: “deficiency of empirical indicators on which policy makers can base their budget decisions and a lack of effective communication between those that advocate for development communication and those at the top of the organizational hierarchies” (Myers, 2008, pp. 41–42). Therefore, research findings from periodic evaluation of CR would not only improve their performance but also inform policy and development discourses at national and international levels.

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Notes on contributors

Africanus Lewil Diedong

Africanus Lewil Diedong is the Dean of the Faculty of Integrated Development Studies, SD Dombo University of Business and Integrated Development Studies, Wa, Ghana. He holds a Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) in Social Communication from Gregorian University, Rome.

Wilberforce S. Dzisah

Wiberforce S. Dzisah is the Head of Department for Liberal Arts and Communication Studies in the School of Liberal Arts and Social Sciences at the Ghana Institute of Management and Public Administration, Accra, Ghana. He holds a Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) in communication and media research from the University of Westminster in the United Kingdom.