Radio Builsa is 3 Years old

02-04-2011
Narration: The Regional Director of GBC URA Radio, Bolgatanga, Mohammed Tahiru Abdul Razak, has encouraged the management of the various community radio stations nationwide to put in place sound financial management and design programmes that can run with low operational costs to help ensure the sustainability of their outlets. Delivering a lecture as part of activities marking the 3rd anniversary celebration of Radio Builsa in Sandema, Abdul Razak recommended the creation of a governing board for community radio stations to set out policies and programme that could help generate income for the smooth running of their operations. The event which was marked with a colourful durbar amidst drumming and dancing was celebrated on the theme: Popular Participation in Governance for Sustainable Development: The Role of Community Radio”. Isaac Asare was there for Radio Ghana.
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Delivering a lecture on the topic: “Popular Participation, Public Policy and Sustainable Development-the Role of Community Radio, Mr. Razak took participants through the concept of popular participation as well as the social impact of community radio stations in society and urged beneficiaries to use the community radio outlets to express their sentiments on issues affecting their lives. He also advised the people to use the radio as a tool for development by contributing their quota to the country’s democratic dispensation. This, he said is vital, since effective popular participation depends on the public having access to accurate and comprehensive information at all levels. He said the right to popular participation is enshrined by law and may be advanced in the context of equality and group right, meant to ensure equal and full participation of a designated group in society. He further stated that every citizen have the right to be involved in the decision process of the country, hence the need to demand accountability from duty bearers through information provided for public consumption. Mr. Razak later touched on measures that need to be undertaken to ensure the sustainability of community radio stations which he described as a type of radio service that offers a model of broadcast beyond commercial and public service capable of serving geographic communities and communities of interest. He said in order to ensure sustainability, community radio stations should adapt to prudent financial skills capable of generating income and subsequently acquire the necessary journalistic skills to produce quality programming. Mr. Razak charged community radio station to work in the confines of the localities and not operate beyond their boundaries to incur more cost to their finances. He therefore called for the speedy passage of the freedom of Information bill into law to enable media and other citizens have access to public information in Ghana and also help enhance activities of community radio stations. Speaking on the topic: Challenges and prospects of Community Broadcasting in Northern Ghana”, the Executive Director of Radio Builsa, Mr. Richard Alandu acknowledged the contribution of community radio stations and urged all and sundry to assist them achieve their set objectives. He mentioned lack of skilled personnel and funding as some of the factors militating against their operations and appeal to residents of the district to come to their aid to sustain the station, which, he noted, is at the verge of collapse due to debts owed to ECG and other service providers. Mr. Alandu, however appealed to government and the assembly to assist in addressing the financial challenges of community radio stations to help in the promotion of good governance. He also called for effective partnership between the stations and the assemblies. The Builsa District Chief Executive, Norbert Awulley, commended the Builsa Community Radio for their effort in the dissemination of information to the public and stressed on the need to build the capacity of personnel manning the stations. The DCE charged Staff of the station to exercise their duties with circumspection since they are working in the interest of the communities they serve. He assured them of the assembly’s support in their quest to addressing issues of great interest.