Radio stations urged to use local dialects to promote local governance issues
Dr Margaret Sackey, a lecturer with the Institute of Local Government Studies (ILGS), has underscored the need for broadcast journalists to use local dialects more in their programmes to enhance easy understanding by the general public.
She said journalists should inform the public on local governance issues to promote participatory and effective governance for an accelerated national development.
Dr. Sackey said this at the opening of a three-day workshop for selected broadcasters, station managers, Metropolitan, Municipal and District Chief Executives (MMCEs) in the Western Region organized by the Media Foundation for West Africa (MFWA) in Takoradi on Monday.
It was aimed to educate participants to have detailed understanding of the local government system and to offer part of their airtime to educate and sensitize the public on local governance issues.
“Using Radio to promote local Governance in Ghana”, was the theme of the workshop.
Dr. Sackey said radio stations were supposed to support development efforts in communities they operate in by liaising with the various assemblies to address challenges.
Mr. Sulemana Braimah, Deputy Executive Director of Foundation, said radio is the major source of information for most Ghanaians and that broadcasters could do more in promoting effective local governance in their respective communities.
He indicated that the Foundation had signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with nine radio stations in the Region and would organize workshops to sharpen the skills of broadcasters to ensure creativity and innovation in their programming and reportage.
The Deputy Executive Director advised the media to undertake regular follow-ups on issues and ongoing projects so that the assemblies would be kept on their feet always.
Mr. Braimah entreated Metropolitan, Municipal and District Assemblies (MMDAs) to often organize press briefings to explain their challenges and ongoing projects to the media.
Source: GNA