By Fatou Dahaba
The launch of Kuntaur Community Radio marks a historic moment for the people of the Central River Region (North). The radio station, established in Wassu at the request of the Kuntaur Area Council, aims to promote community development and address child rights issues in the locality.
This initiative was accomplished with the support of UNICEF, which funded the establishment of the radio station. This included procuring equipment, providing one-year salaries for reporters and presenters, and engaging the community. The Ministry of Lands, Local Government, and Religious Affairs facilitated the support.
Ebrima Sisawo, Permanent Secretary at the Ministry of Lands, Local Government, and Religious Affairs, highlighted the radio station’s significance, describing it as a powerful tool to build capacity and empower the community of CRR North.
“To effectively use the radio, there has to be positive communication to instill the right values and aspirations for the community so they can achieve their development agenda,” Sisawo said.
He also pointed out that school dropouts are one of the region’s biggest challenges. He emphasized the government’s efforts, in collaboration with UNICEF, to bring these children back to school.
With the new radio station, Sisawo challenged the young presenters to inspire their peers to return to school and pursue the basic education they need.
“There’s no better way to transform this community than by educating a child. I’m happy that the regional educational directorate and the children are here. Being a source of inspiration, particularly to your friends who are not in school, we should be able to change this community because development starts with education.”
Nafisa Binte Shafique, UNICEF Country Representative, described the launch as a celebration of hope, noting that the voices of children, adolescents, and women will now be amplified through the radio station’s programs.
She revealed that UNICEF provided D3.6 million for establishing the radio station through the Department of Community Development under the Ministry of Local Government and Lands.
“These funds were used for the procurement of radio equipment, a generator, and the payment of one year’s salaries for the broadcasters and presenters,” Shafique said. “The funds supported community engagements with leaders, women’s groups, councilors, and children.”
Shafique emphasized that the radio station was established in response to a community request for a mass media platform to disseminate information and messages on development issues, including child and women’s rights.
“The station will facilitate the active involvement of children and adolescents, allowing them to voice out issues that affect their rights and well-being.”
As UNICEF handed over the radio station to the community, Shafique reminded the members of its immense value.
She stressed the importance of incorporating child rights and adolescent programs into the station’s structure, ensuring it becomes community-led and owned property.
“We want the radio to be a beacon of hope that will transform and educate the people of this region. Let there be strong, interesting, informative, and educative programs that will increase school enrollment, especially for the girl child, reduce maternal and child mortality, improve access to water, sanitation, and hygiene, and eliminate all harmful practices, including violence against children and women.”
Saikou Jawara, Chairman of the Kuntaur Area Council, expressed the community’s anticipation for this development, stating, “The people of CRR North have been waiting for far too long to welcome this development.”
He added that with the committed staff, he has no doubt the radio station will become one of the best in the country. The station’s programs will significantly promote child rights, enhance social accountability, public engagement, awareness-raising, social and behavioral change communication, and gender-transformative actions.
He noted that this will support the actualization of sustainable development goals and the Kuntaur Area Council’s activity plan.
“You cannot have any meaningful development without communicating with your people,” Jawara stated. “Communication is essential, and its absence has hindered our development. We can’t achieve anything without effective engagement and communication with our people.”
Fatou Gibba, Director of the Department of Community Development in Kuntaur, described the radio station as more than just a communication tool—it’s a symbol of hope and progress and an avenue for amplifying the voices of the people of CRR North.
“For far too long, the people of this community have faced challenges in accessing reliable and relevant information,” Gibba said.
“However, with this powerful tool comes great responsibility because the power of radio lies in its ability to shape people’s minds, influence their behavior, and build peace and solidarity in the region and the country as a whole.”
In rural areas with limited access to information and communication, community radio plays a crucial role in giving underrepresented people a voice, sharing information relevant to daily life, promoting social cohesion, and linking people to opportunities.
