Mr Albert Kan-Dapaah, Minister of Communications and Technology, on Friday charged radio stations to highlight on social issues capable of transforming the society rather than concentrating only on politics.

"The point was made that radio is a powerful instrument for national development and radio stations should not lose sight of that fact."

Mr Kan-Dapaah was speaking at the launch of Happy FM, a new local radio station established by Mr Kingsley Agyeman, a Businessman in Accra.

He said since radio stations are powerful instruments for national development there was the need to shift its thrust from attacking personalities and taking on issues with perceived scandals to focus rather on development.

The Minister noted that, even though, the liberalisation of the airwaves was better than hitherto the onus is on operators to ensure that the material presented to the public rather helped to change their lives for the better.

Mr Kan-Dapaah urged the management to design programmes that would be respond to social needs such as on good health, environment as well as issues related to indiscipline.

"You should remain faithful to the cultural heritage of Ghana by championing cultural values that are in consonance with ours and avoid turning FM stations into second rate western radio channel."

He said FM stations should endeavour to use their medium to lighten the burden of ignorance and poverty of the citizenry.

Mr Kan-Dapaah advised FM stations to be each others' keeper by being fair in their business dealings and ensuring that they met their financial obligations to the to communications regulator whose primary function is to protect their interest.

The Reverend Dr Mensah Otabil, General Overseer of the International Central Gospel Church, expressed regret about the unprofessional attitudes of some presenters on some radio stations, who end up being problems themselves to their listeners.

He said some of these presenters end up entertaining themselves rather than their listeners.

Dr Otabil noted that though politics was important it does not necessarily address the major problems of the people, adding: "There is something we must do to ourselves to help ourselves."

He advised that personnel of FM stations should be adequately trained in order for them to be able to carry along the people.

Mr Kwaw Ansah, Managing Director of TV Africa, who chaired the function urged the operators to avoid alien values, which are already overburdening the people.

He said it was important that FM stations did not trivialize broadcasting since it was a major tool that could either be used to build or destroy.

Mr Sekyere Boateng, General Manager of the Station, noted that the station was development oriented and would strive to pull the people along that path in a non-partisan manner. He said the station would promote the country's cultural heritage as well as sanitation and environmental issues. 05 Sept. 03