The Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Joseph Ghartey Ampiah, has commended the Campus Broadcasting Association of Ghana (C-BAG) for playing a key role in the dissemination of factual and relevant information to the public.
Prof. Ghartey noted the various radio stations on campuses in tertiary institutions in the nation have served as important platform for academia to educate, sensitize and also share research findings on critical issues affecting society.
The Vice-Chancellor gave the commendation when members of C-BAG paid a courtesy call on him at the Council Chamber. He also praised C-BAG for exhibiting professionalism in its work adding that “These days, people say all sort of things in the media but you have been consistent in disseminating factual information”. He noted that through the activities of campus radio stations, the image and reputation of universities and other tertiary institutions had been enhanced.
Prof. Ampiah said C-BAG has also played a critical role in the management of the various tertiary institutions. “You help us to convey notices and other vital information to lecturers, students and other categories of staff” he said.
The Vice-Chancellor particularly applauded ATL FM for the professionalism of its staff and the quality of content they churn out. He said the station had made UCC proud by winning several local and international awards. He pledged his administration’s continuous support to enhance ATL FM’s activities.
Explaining the purpose of the visit, the Station Manager of ATL FM, Mr. Kwabena Antwi-Konadu, said members of C-BAG were on campus for a two-day meeting and strategic dialogue and deemed it important to pay courtesy call on the Vice-Chancellor.
On his part, the Chairman of C-BAG, Dr. Abubakar Sadique Ahmed, said the association was formed in the early 2000s to share best practices, knowledge and also seek the welfare of its members. He said initially campus radio stations operated on experimental basis for teaching purposes. He noted that most of the astute broadcasters in the mainstream media were produced by the campus radio stations.
Dr. Ahmed said campus radio stations had over the years demonstrated the relevance of universities to the general public saying “We want to demystify the issues surrounding academia as living in an ivory tower” He noted that campus radio stations were partners in the management of tertiary institutions and, therefore, need support to play their roles effectively. He appealed to the Vice-Chancellor to convince his colleagues in other institutions to pay keen interest in the activities of campus radio stations and provide them with the needed support.
The team from C-BAG was made up of representatives from University of Ghana, Valley View University, Ghana Institute of Journalism and Takoradi Technical University College.