Voices from the Margins: Participation, Empowerment, Development and the Role of Community Radio in Ghana

Abstract

This study is an exploratory analysis and examination of community radio in Ghana, and how community radio provides voice to marginalized communities to develop accountable-governance radio programmes. It seeks to provide evidence of the dominance of radio ownership and usage in Ghana and elsewhere as compared to other media. It establishes that it is therefore the appropriate medium for development efforts. It further describes community radio's engagement with rural and marginalized communities to exercise their right to communicate and participate in the process of empowerment and development. Analysis of the study focuses on how community radio does this by using holistic process of participatory radio programme development that integrates community research, training, programme design, production, broadcast and evaluation. Specific examples are cited, such as the radio programme series on Community Participation in Local Governance (CPLG). Again, the participatory tools used in the process are explored. The study concludes that participatory radio programme development process serves to enhance cultural identity, community mobilization, conflict management, transparency, accountability and decision making. That community radio is a viable communication strategy for rural and national cohesion and development needs further study.