World Radio Day: Oppong Nkrumah calls for increased use of radio for peace and conflict prevention

Minister for Information, Kojo Oppong Nkrumah has called on stakeholders within the radio industry to use their platforms to help in the exercise of bringing peace and unity particularly in areas prone to conflicts.

In a speech to commemorate World Radio Day on Monday, February 13, 2023 and on the theme “Radio and Peace; To underscore the place of Radio in conflict prevention and peacebuilding”, Mr. Oppong Nkrumah said radio has proven to be a valuable tool in conflict prevention and nation building and hence, stakeholders must rely on it to bring people together and foster a sense of community.

“So, on this World Radio Day, here at the Ministry of Information, we also celebrate the industry and its work over the years. In particular, we would like to draw the attention of media houses that operate particularly in areas where sometimes conflicts may arise. In Bawku and other places, I’m sure you are familiar with the stories of how media houses or radio sometimes has contributed to the conflict instead of helping to bring about peace in those places.

“On a day like this, we would like to remind our colleagues who operate in places where sometimes tensions may rise, that we have a particular responsibility to help in the exercise to bring peace and unity and not necessarily fuel it,” he said.

That, the Minister emphasized that radio has a unique ability of reaching diverse people across different cultures and when relied upon can be used to promote dialogue, promote understanding and unity as well as provide a platform for diverse voices to be heard.

Mr. Oppong Nkrumah also encouraged the public to rely on radio as a major source of information while also contributing their quotas towards a more peaceful and unified society.

World Radio Day was declared by the United Nations General Assembly in 2011 and has since become a global celebration, with events and activities taking place in over 100 countries. The day serves as an opportunity for the radio industry, governments, non-governmental organizations, and the public to come together and celebrate the impact that radio has had on society.