UNESCO officials arrive Sa'a community radio to donate equipment to boost production
Officials of the Regional Multisectoral Office of the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural organization, UNESCO, for Central Africa in Yaounde have used the 10th edition of World Radio Day to celebrate radio as a major tool for the dissemination of information.
As part of the celebrations, UNESCO officials empowered 20 community radio stations with state-of-the-art radio equipment to boost productivity and community interactivity within a project aimed at enforcing community sensitization on the COVID-19 pandemic and the promoting of e-learning programme through radio teachings.
The project which is in its first phase focused on the crisis-hit North West and South West Regions of Cameroon where 13 community radio stations – six from the NW and seven from SW are to be donated equipment.
As explained by Banyimbe Serge, C4D Specialist Program Coordinator for UNESCO Regional Office, the project equally extended to Francophone regions where 7 community radio stations in towns hosting Internally Displaced Persons, IDPs, from the Anglophone regions have also been donated equipment.
“The equipment that has been given today are speakers, to organise activities out of the radio because the idea of the project is not just to allow the radio stay on air but the radio can go beyond the air to meet the population where they are especially in times of lack of electricity where broadcast is not possible,” Banyimbe explained, adding, that the idea is to ensure continuous broadcast of messages and recorded programmes programs in open spaces.
"We have also given very good quality recorders for radio so that they can improve their quality, plus radio sets at least three radio sets per radio station so that they can give to their listeners clubs to improve interactivity between the radio and the community and foster interactivity with community on covid-19 related matters,” he explained.
Speaking during a visit to visit Sa’a community radio in the Centre region as part of activities, Nejib MOKNI, UNESCO Regional Communication Adviser for Central Africa said it was not just a visit to donate and celebrate world radio day but also an occasion for them to listen to challenges faced by these organs and exchange notes on productivity with the management.
Reaching to the donation, visibly happy Max Ayissi, Head of Sa’a community radio also known as Ma' Ali FM appreciated UNESCO for the gesture which he said will go alone way to boost productivity.
UNESCO officials briefing reporters on their projects in the domain of radio prior to celebration of World Radio Day
Worth noting is that prior to the celebration, UNESCO officials briefed reporters in Yaounde on their current role in assistance community radio stations through to make the e-learning programme and sensitization of covid-19 related messages a success.
By Doh Bertrand on special assignment to Sa'a
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