Implementation Reports on IPDC Projects Approved in 2009 - Unesco

PROJECT IMPLEMENTED BY THE ACCRA OFFICE
NATIONAL PROJECT
CHANA: SUSTAINING COMMUNITY BROADCASTING TO
DEEPEN DEMOCRACY, GOOD GOVERNANCE AND ACCOUNTABILITY
BUDGET CODE: 354GHA5002
US $19 800
TYPE OF PROJECT
Ghana’s media landscape has witnessed a proliferation of media houses in the past twenty years, with the
country now boasting over 130 FM radio stations, 16 TV channels and over 300 newspapers. Unfortunately
however, many of these media houses are dominated by commercialism and political agendas, and tend to lack
plurality in terms of content and orientation. Community radios by contrast, are not driven by profit and
propaganda, and therefore have the potential to change lives through better and increased access to information
of social significance.
This project aims to provide the necessary equipment to upgrade the production capacity of the community
radio station, ‘Radio Builsa’, and to provide training over a 5-day period to a group of 60 radio station
volunteers and managers. It will result in the production and broadcasting of two new programmes promoting
community participation in public discourse, as well as two programmes to create a platform for engagement
between community members and elected representatives, thus leading to increased accountability and
community involvement among leaders. In achieving its goal, this project will help to empower the people of
the Builsa District (who presently suffer from low literacy and limited access to information), by providing
them with the means to make informed decisions in the choice of leaders and participate in democratic debate.
Overall goal
To provide the necessary equipment to upgrade the production capacity of the community radio station, ‘Radio
Builsa’, and to provide training to 60 radio station volunteers and managers in order to produce broadcasting
content which promotes community participation in democratic debate.
IMPLEMENTATION
The objective of the project is to upgrade the production capacity of Radio Builsa and train 60 radio station
volunteers and managers. In order to achieve the above objective, Radio Builsa will:
� Procure a console, an amplifier, and two (2) equalizers and other modern studio equipment at Radio
Builsa.
� Conduct a 5-day training workshop for 60 radio station volunteers and managers in order to produce
broadcasting content which promotes community participation in democratic debate.
� Pilot the Production and broadcast of radio programme series promoting community participation in
public policy discourse.
� Pilot the Production and broadcast of radio programme series promoting engagement between
community members and elected representatives.
�
RESULTS
An initial amount of GH16,786.00($10,900) was received to finance the procurement a console, 4 microphones,
4 headphones, a flat screen computer, a pair of speakers and a UPS.
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