NCRF CEO and AMARC Africa Board member, visits Ghana as part of 25th anniversary of Amarc

Franklin Huizies, NCRF CEO recently attended a community radio and alternative media conference in Accra, Ghana. The purpose for his visit was to contribute to the vibrant discussions on the state of Community Radio in Africa as well as the contribution of Community Radio towards social upliftment and development of democracy, specifically reflecting on Central and West Africa. The gathering also had simultaneous celebrations of Amarc's 25th anniversary and Radio Ada's 10th anniversary.

Radio Ada, Accra Ghana 10 year celebrations

Workshop: “What Vision for a Community Radio Network in Africa: Rebuilding AMARC Africa Network (Kofi Annan ICT Centre Main Hall)

Second Session (Tuesday, 12 August 15h15 to 17h15) : Evaluating Priorities for Africa development: The Contribution of Community Radio to Development, Democracy, Inclusion and Governance

Convenor : Franklin Huizies, AMARC Africa Board

This Session will seek to deliberate the Important Contribution of Community Radio to Development, Democracy, Inclusion and Governance. Some of the specific outcomes of this session will also attempt to propose action steps towards a strong and sustainable Community Radio Network and Cooperation in Africa.

Poverty is AMARC Africa’s major concern in many African countries. West Africa is a sub-region of 17 countries with a wide variety of ethnicity, culture, and traditions. Unfortunately, the region consists largely of low-income countries, ranging roughly from average incomes of US$1,500 in Cape Verde to a low of US$150 in Sierra Leone. The evidence of widespread poverty in the region is suggestive of a substantial proportion of the population being poor over an extended period of time. This situation is widespread all throughout Africa.

For a long time South Africa has been seen as an leading example in the development of community radio in Africa, although countries in West Africa -- in particular, Benin, Mali, Senegal and others -- are today sharply up from the point of view of helping provide pluralism and having developed legislation. In the English-speaking countries of West Africa, initiatives led by groups of activists have brought significant advances, even though the policy soon to be followed with regard to the establishment of clear legislation and policy promotional in favor of community radio. In Ghana, Sierra Leone and Liberia hope is permissible to the extent of promising initiatives are under way with the birth of several private radio stations carried by actors of civil society. Nigeria is gradually being opened up to the movement of community radio, thanks to the action of networks and movements activists favorable to the emergence of a broadcast media.

Today, millions in Africa still remain voiceless, despite a multitude of new information outlets. Most media remain largely state controlled. But the tide of democracy sweeping the continent has seen governments loosening their grip on the airwaves. In 1985, AMARC noted, there were fewer than 10 independent radio stations on the entire continent. Today, more than two dozen countries have at least 50 stations each.

What contents and action priorities should an African Community Radio Network follow-up in order to confront Africa development and democratisation challenges?