Bongo needs $70,000 for community radio

The Bongo Traditional Council and the Management Team of the Bongo Community Radio project have appealed for support to purchase radio equipment valued at about $ 70,000 for broadcasting to begin.

Naba Baba Salifu Alemyaarum, Paramount Chief of the area, made the appeal at an advocacy forum held in the Bongo District, under the auspices of the Traditional Council, and the Management Team of Community Radio project.

The Bongo District Assembly has supported the Traditional Council to construct a building for the radio equipment.

He, therefore, stressed the need for Bongo citizens in Ghana and the Diaspora, corporate institutions, NGOs and philanthropists to contribute towards the procurement of the equipment.

The Bongo Naba said the completion of the Community Radio Project would enhance public education on health issues, aid anti-bushfire campaigns and serve as an effective tool for community mobilization, among other benefits.

He observed that financial contributions from the communities had not been encouraging since the process to start the FM station began six years ago, and, therefore, called on his subjects to double their efforts at mobilizing adequate resources to complete the project.

“We have reached the crossroads and we cannot afford to turn back,” he said. “The Assembly has done its part by constructing and roofing a building ready to house the FM station.

Mr Nsoh –Atindana Emmanuel, a member of the Management Team of the Radio project, said it would require the construction of 60 metre-guyed mast, which was worth about 50,000 US dollars, Transmitter System- estimated radiated power (ERP) 15.0 kw, valued at about 16,000 US Dollars, Equipment Rack and Studio to Transmitter Link, also valued at about 10,000 US dollars .

The forum, which attracted stakeholders, including youth associations, women’s groups, chiefs and queen mothers, and some heads of decentralized departments from the District Assembly was geared at soliciting both financial and other forms support to complete the Radio project.

Meanwhile, the Ghana National Fire Service also used the occasion to educate the public on fire safety tips such as the proper and effective use of a wet jute sack and the fire extinguisher to quench domestic fires.

This was premised on the background of the frequent fire outbreaks recorded across the country since January.