Radio as a catalyst for development

Radio is perhaps the only medium that reaches out to all classes of people. The poorest people in the world and those who live in the remotest parts of the world connect to happenings around them and the outside world via radio mostly.

The unlettered are able to stay abreast of latest developments via radio than other platforms which their lack of formal education limits them from using. This shows how important radio is in shaping the lives of people. More so, radio has adapted so well to the new dimensions that technology has introduced to the media and communication fields.

As the world marks Radio day, let us take this opportunity and put radio in Ghana under a spotlight. Radio over the years has benefitted the youth in diverse ways, from employment to giving the youth a platform to get their voices heard. This is not to say a few ugly faces of the misuse of radio have not been seen and experienced.

In terms of employment, radio counts as one of the very conspicuous employers of the youth. A cursory tour to any particular radio station will reveal that the youth form either the core or majority of the workforce.

So one can confidently say one of the good things that radio has consistently brought to the youth is giving them a source of living and earning. This contributes directly and indirectly to national development.

Over the years, radio has become one of the very potent platforms that have given a voice to the youth to actively participate in the governance of the country. Daily, the youth get their voices across to the government and other developmental stakeholders.

They get to express their feelings as to how they think things are going on in the country and they profess solutions to issues they feel strongly about. Some radio stations now have programmes that educate the youth on personal development. Previously people would have to pay hooping sums to attend seminars on personal grooming and the like. Thanks to the changing phase of radio, now you have them free to air.

All one needs to do is to switch on a radio set and tune in to where he or she can get education on vital issues ranging from how to sell oneself well to the job market to how one can start a company. Such programmes go a long way to build the capacity of the youth.

Let us not forget that as it reaches out to the remotest parts of the world and bridges barriers and boundaries, it doesn’t only send news to the world, radio is also a great source of music and entertainment to all classes of society.

Happy citizens are the coefficient of a peaceful country. Peace is also a prerequisite for development. So through entertainment, radio is contributing to the development of Ghana.

However, all the benefits of radio as extolled can only be maximised if innovative programmes targeting the youth such as Albert Ocran’s Springboard, Ghana Think Foundation’s Barcamps and the like are aired especially on rural and community radio stations and in the local languages of such communities.

In so doing, the youth of such communities will also be educated and inspired towards personal and community development. Flipping over the coin, just like any other platform or device that has the potential to empower, if not put to good use, radio can become a catalyst for destruction.

There are very sad examples of how radio was used wrongly and how the aftermath of such use left horrible blots in the history books of mankind. Rwanda is an example that easily comes to mind.

If the principles that guide journalism in the country are strictly adhered to and radio is not used to propagate people’s parochial interest to the detriment of the common good; if radio is not used to sow seeds of discord and to misinform, then the destructive side of radio will be just a fable to us.

As the world celebrates radio today, it is an opportune moment for radio stations to undertake some adjustments where needed to make sure their programmes are fine-tuned to inspire, inform, educate, entertain and unite the youth of the country towards a common good.