The number of radio stations established in the Upper East since its creation as an administrative region in 1983 has risen to 41 with the latest, Mike FM, unveiled last Saturday, 23 November 2024, in Navrongo, the capital of the Kassena-Nankana Municipality.
The newborn station was launched at an outdoor ceremony in the cosmopolitan capital with a collective call from speakers on media practitioners to verify the accuracy of every piece of information they received from sources before putting it in the public domain.
Some of the 41 broadcasting stations put up in the region so far are defunct. Only 37 exist today on a list provided by the National Communications Authority (NCA) and no more than 27 of the existing ones are on air at present.
A check run this week by Media Without Borders reveals that the other stations are off-air due to operation-related challenges.
The forty-one stations established so far and their locations comprise: GBC-URA Radio 89.7 MHz, Bolgatanga; GBC URA Radio 93.7, Bawku; Radio Gurune 99.3, Bolgatanga; Nabiina Radio 90.7, Navrongo; Radio Builsa 106.5, Sandema; Radio FAS 95.1, Navrongo; Word FM 88.3, Zuarungu; A1 Radio 101.1, Bolgatanga; Quality FM 88.7, Garu; Tanga Radio 93.7, Bolgatanga; and Yem Radio 89.1, Bolgatanga.
Also on the list are: Zebs FM 95.9, Zebilla; Love Revolution Radio 95.5, Bolgatanga; Mobile Zone FM 94.3, Bolgatanga; Maxx FM 96.9, Bazua; Sweet Hearts FM 104.1, Bolgatanga; Bawku FM 101.5, Bawku; Dreamz FM 101.9, Bolgatanga; Rock FM 103.7, Bolgatanga; Zahra Radio 103.1, Bawku; Winpnag FM 106.5, Pusiga; Evolution Radio 93.5, Bolgatanga; Sunshine FM 96.5, Bawku; Dastech Radio 90.1, Zebilla; Radio Bongo 93.1, Bongo; and Radio Bliss 94.7, Bawku.
The others include: BTU Radio 90.9, Bolgatanga; Gumah FM 104.9, Bawku; Noor Yine FM 95.5, Tempane; Recas FM 92.1, Bongo; Neesim FM 95.9, Bolgatanga; Venus FM 102.3, Bolgatanga; Asaase Radio (formerly ABC Radio) 103.5, Bolgatanga; Sahel FM 87.9, Bolgatanga; Mola Radio 98.3, Bolgatanga; Pure FM 100.5, Navrongo; Navei Radio 90.1, Paga; Binduri Radio 104.7, Binduri; Blessing FM 98.9, Pulmakom-Pusiga; Swolim FM 97.9, Navrongo and Mike FM 105.3, Navrongo.
Media houses survive on credibility— MCE
Speaking at the launch of Mike FM’s operations, which was also broadcast live on the station, the Kassena-Nankana Municipal Chief Executive (MCE), Joseph Adongo, stressed that media houses thrived and survived on being focused and credible.
“Somebody was telling me that Mike FM goes very far. And I want to say that I’ve also listened [and] I’ve heard. And we would hope that Mike FM would live up to expectations. A lot of people will play mischief. If you fall for this, the radio will not survive.
“I think you will stand the test of time to make sure that we don’t have a station and the following day we are not hearing about it. We know you will have challenges. People can start branding you. Maybe patronage [in the beginning] may be a problem, but we hope and pray you will [overcome] all these things,” he remarked.
His unwritten speech dwelt more on a caution against failure to verify information before dissemination, warning the station could lose credibility if it repeatedly failed to get things right.
“You are likely to be given information. Let’s pray that we crosscheck before we start broadcasting. Any information that you get, let’s crosscheck so that you don’t put the information out there and we are struggling to do correction; because whether you like it or not, it will come.
“People will give you false alarm and if you are not careful you will come out and, then, people will say as for this particular station, it’s not credible because they said this, they said that and we found out that it was not true. So, I would caution that let us crosscheck whatever information we have before we put it out there,” he said.
Choose your words carefully— Immigration commander advises
The Paga Sector Commander of the Ghana Immigration Service, Deputy Commissioner of Immigration (DCOI) William Sabi, reiterated the MCE’s caution when he took his turn to address the gathering.
He urged media practitioners, particularly the staff of the new radio station, to disseminate nothing but accurate information.
“We are not in normal times, looking at what is happening at the other side and Paga, Navrongo [are] closer to the actions of jihadists and terrorists. So, as we try to secure our borders and also to do our election duties, we implore you in the name of the Lord that you give out the accurate information. You see, like what happened in Rwanda, just one word sparked a whole lot.
“It is my fervent prayer that you will choose your words very carefully and diplomatically. You may have a strong point to make, but inasmuch as you want to issue strong words, just look at what’s happening and the audience. If we are going to enjoy the peace, greater responsibility is on the part of the media,” he said.
Lawyer shows path to credibility
A legal practitioner, Timothy Yelbaya, who addressed the gathering on behalf of the chief executive officer of the station, Michael Achagwe Luguje, advised the staff of the station to live up to the tagline of the media outlet: “Your Credible Voice.”
“Credibility,” he said, “is not conferred; it is earned.”
“And so you must demonstrate credibility through the quality of programmes, the presentation of relevant news, views and interviews, and the paneling of impartial discussants who can discuss issues fairly and in a more balanced manner without descending into a conflict of interest.” he added.
The Chief of Pungu, Pe Abayage Barnabas Anonkore, who chaired the event, commended the chief executive officer for establishing the station and entreated everyone to “support the new venture and make it a source of information, inspiration and unity for our community.”
Mike FM has come with a unique taste everybody will crave, according to its manager, Castro Senyalah, who himself has won a number of awards as a journalist.
“Mike FM is more than just a source of entertainment. We are a platform for community engagement, a bridge that connects people from all walks of life.
“We believe in the power of radio to bring people together, foster understanding and create a sense of belonging,” he told the ceremony audience in his welcome address.
The general manager added: “Mike FM will not only report the news but also spark conversations, challenge perspectives and encourage critical thinking.”
Source: Edward Adeti/Media Without Borders/mwbonline.org/Ghana
