The Ghana Independent Broadcasters Association (GIBA) with support from UNESCO and UNDP is commemorating World Radio Day 2023 in Tamale in the Northern Region of Ghana.

World Radio Day was proclaimed in 2011 by the member states of UNESCO of which Ghana is a part, and adopted by the United Nations General Assembly in 2012 as an International Day. Since then, February 13 has become World Radio Day (WRD) and the theme for this year is “Radio and Peace”(https://en.unesco.org/commemorations/worldradioday ).

Radio is widely recognized as a powerful medium for celebrating humanity in all its diversity, and constitutes a platform for democratic discourse. Globally, radio remains the most trusted, most widely consumed medium of mass communication, and has the widest geographical reach in the dissemination of information. This unique ability to reach out to the widest audience means that radio can shape a society’s experience of diversity, stand as an arena for all voices to speak out, be represented and heard. As a result, radio stations are required to serve diverse communities, offer a wide variety of programmes, viewpoints and content, and reflect the diversity of audiences.

The event will have in attendance, the Honourable Regional Minister for the Northern Region, the Deputy Minister for Information, the Head of Office & UNESCO Representative in Ghana, the UNDP Programme Specialist and will bring together a wide range of stakeholders from the security services, civil society, media, community and youth leaders among others.

According to the President of GIBA, Mr. Cecil Sunkwa-Mills, “the Association plans to undertake a number of initiatives this year for its members and all stakeholders, aimed at providing a collaborative learning platform for the media’s role in peacebuilding processes and an engaging environment for the promotion of democratic principles”.

It is his desire that the media will benefit from the capacity building workshop by ensuring that radio is a vehicle for peaceful co-existence and the expression of diversity in all societies, while being circumspect in their reportage and not allow their platforms to be used to further any parochial political or tribal interest.

GIBA recognizes the need for its members to increase programmes on peacebuilding with common interventions including training of journalists, and development of pro-peace programme contents.

In commemoration of this year’s World Radio Day 2023, GIBA encourages its member organisations, journalists, on-air presenters, panelists/guests of radio shows, producers and all players in the industry to play a positive role in peacebuilding and conflict prevention and to serve as a motivator for action to promote peace.

We look forward to a memorable year ahead, as radio positively impacts our democracy, socio-economic development, education and entertainment in all parts of Ghana and the world at large.

Happy World Radio Day.

Signed:

The Executive Secretary

For & on behalf of GIBA