Former Director-General of the National Communications Authority urges radio stations to adhere to statutory broadcasting regulatory

A Former Director-General of the National Communications Authority, Paarock Van Percy, has urged radio stations to adhere to statutory broadcasting regulatory requirements and deadlines to avoid shutdowns. 

Speaking at the launch of the 10th anniversary celebration of Ahotor 92.3 FM last Thursday,  Mr  Van Percy emphasised the importance of media houses complying with the terms of their authorisation and urged operators to ensure they operated within the legal framework.

The anniversary was on the theme “Ahotor@10, elevating voices, shaping tomorrow.”

He commended the  Board, management and staff for the role they played in getting the station to its current state, and appealed to them to make development a topmost priority, as he believed radio had the power to change the lives of individuals and communities.

Mr Van Percy indicated that there had been a significant growth in FM authorisations in Ghana, from 412 in 2015 to 769, representing an 87 per cent increase, and advised the current management of  Ahotor 92.3FM to innovate and stay relevant in the digital era by expanding into online streaming, podcasts and social media platforms to reach a global audience.

He also urged management to engage their audience by creating opportunities for two-way communication and sharing listener stories to build a stronger connection.

Mr Van Percy underscored the importance of professionalism, and called on management and staff to uphold trust and accuracy in reporting to maintain relevance in a rapidly evolving media landscape.

He encouraged the Ahotor 92.3 FM to shape the future of broadcasting by adapting to technological advancements while staying true to their mission and service the communities.

Commitment

The Founder and Chief Executive of Universal Multimedia, operators of Ahotor 92.3 FM,  Dr Samuel Ofosu-Ampofo, reflecting on the station’s 10-year anniversary, highlighted their commitment to community empowerment, cultural expression and development through radio.

He said that the station had contributed immensely to improving the livelihood of individuals across the Greater Accra, Volta, Eastern and parts of Ashanti Region through its educative programmes and talk shows.

Key achievements, he said, included supporting traditional authorities, vulnerable groups and organising free health screening and education programmes, restructuring programmes to reflect linguistics,  religious and cultural diversity despite challenges such as revenue constraints, regulatory hurdles and economic challenges.

Like  many media houses, in Ghana, we have faced revenue constraints that have tested our ability  to grow and innovate.

The shifting dynamics of the advertising market, coupled with broader economic headwinds, have placed pressure on our financial operations” he said.”

Dr Ofosu-Ampofo  outlined the station’s vision for the future, including transforming into a full-fledged multimedia platform, incorporating digital broadcasting, video content creation and new forms of storytelling, building partnerships to position Ahotor FM as a leading force in Ghana’s media and providing opportunities for emerging talent, particularly in music.

Development

A member of the Council of State, Gabriel Atokple Kwamigah Tanko, who chaired the event, called on stakeholders to support the services of radio stations to ensure they worked effectively for the development of their respective communities and the nation at large.

He emphasised the media’s role in building connections, asking necessary questions, holding leadership accountable, and including ordinary citizens’ perspectives in national conversations, and rallied the support of stakeholders, including the government and corporate bodies, to regard the station as an essential contributor to national progress and support through advertising opportunities.
Ideals

A veteran journalist and Managing Editor of the Insight newspaper, Kwesi Pratt Jnr, said despite the challenges faced by the media industry in Ghana, including economic decline and political polarisation, Ahotor 92.3 FM had stayed true to its ideals and contributed to building a better society.

Mr  Pratt was hopeful that the station would continue to pursue its goals and make a positive impact  in the society.

The General Manager of the station,  Ahuma Ocansey, said in spite of the limited advertising support and economic challenges, the station had persevered with integrity, professionalism and teamwork.

He announced a number of activities to mark the anniversary, including listener appreciation promotions, community outreaches, health screenings, partnering with communities to celebrate their festivals, hosting academic quiz competitions for schools in the Tema West Municipality, thanksgiving church service and a grand anniversary concert featuring popular talents.