3FM must be pacesetters – Ato Sarpong charges

Deputy Communications Minister, Ato Sarpong has charged Accra-based 3FM 92.7 to take radio broadcasting to a different level, compelling enough for others to emulate.

He said the media is required to provide independent, truthful and reliable information to the citizenry geared towards the development of the society.

“I expect 3FM to lift high the standards in broadcasting and operate at the highest level of excellence. It is easy to be trapped into tradition but I encourage 3FM to be different and to have the bravery to go on the different path of radio broadcasting for others to follow,” Ato Sarpong stressed.

Speaking at the launch of 3FM 92.7 in Accra on Thursday, the Deputy Minister entreated the station to be fearless in questioning the actions of those in authority and disclose factual information to the public.

He also appealed to media practitioners in the country to verify information before publishing them.

Most successful media organisers, he remarked, are thriving not just because of their presenters or programmes and plans “but simply on the entity’s truthfulness and culture of character”.

Ato Sarpong also announced that the digital migration of media stations in Ghana would be realised in a few weeks’ time.

“Ghana is on course to migrate from analogue broadcasting to digital broadcasting this year. The project is progressing well and in a couple of weeks the first phase of the migration, the Greater Accra and the Ashanti Regions would be completed.”

He is certain the migration will intensify competition within the industry and force media houses to produce compelling content.

The Omanhene of Essikado Traditional Area, Nana Kobina Nketsia who launched 3FM 92.7 appealed to media houses to protect African dignity and value system.

He also demanded honesty and integrity from the media in the discharge of their duty.

“I see the media as underwriting the cultural dominance of this country and Africa through its educational, television form and radio programmes.

“From my perspective, media in Africa has been a tool working to demolish Africa’s heritage and value system; certainly it does crumble the African consciousness…I see it as a tool that propagates the European culture in Africa.”

President of Ghana Independent Broadcasting Association, Akwasi Agyemang reminded the media that whilst fighting to protect media freedom, they should be responsible in the discharge of their duty.