Ambassador Blay-Amihere, therefore, called for a national dialogue to address policy issues concerning the media in order to promote and ensure standards.

 

He urged those who set up community radio stations to respect the constitutional provision that makes it mandatory for the management of such stations to be appointed by the NMC.

 

Ambassador Blay-Amihere was speaking at a Roundtable on Community Radio in Ghana, in Accra.  

 

The Roundtable, held on the theme “Another World is Possible”, was organized by the Ghana Community Radio Network (GCRN), with support from the World Bank, Ghana United Nations Democracy Fund (UNDEF) and Free Voice, a Non-Governmental Organization (NGO).

 

In an address on behalf of the Country Director of the World Bank Ghana office, Mr. Kennedy Fosu, Communications Specialist, pledged the preparedness of the World Bank Ghana office to assist the National Media Commission (NMC) and the National Communications Authority (NCA) to achieve its set goals and objectives.  

 

Mr. Fosu underscored the importance and appropriateness of community radio as a tool for the promotion of democracy and development for which reason the World Bank Ghana Office will provide the needed support to the GCRN.

 

In a presentation, Mr. Larweh of Radio Ada and Founding Chairman of the GCRN advised operators not to procure radio equipment before applying for frequencies.

 

Mr. Larweh said frequencies are being harvested for distribution to potential operators but that operators should first seek authorization before embarking on the business of community radio operation.

 

The Round table provided a platform for the launch of the GCRN Closed Fund while new GCRN members and the Executive council for the 2011 – 2013 term were also inducted into office.