Kanifing Municipal Council’s (KMC) Community Radio, launched in December 2022, remains confined to online platforms nearly three years later, as it awaits a radio license and frequency from the Ministry of Information and the Public Utilities Regulatory Authority (PURA). The station, the first of its kind established by an Area Council in The Gambia, was designed to serve as a free resource for the community, raising awareness about council services and fostering local engagement.
Despite possessing all necessary equipment, trained personnel, and meeting regulatory requirements, KMC’s repeated requests for a license have been unsuccessful. The delay has frustrated the council’s efforts to expand the station’s reach through traditional radio broadcasting, limiting its accessibility to those without internet access.
Mayor Talib Ahmed Bensouda expressed disappointment over the situation, stating, “It’s disheartening that KMC Community Radio, a vital tool for informing and empowering our residents, has been stalled by bureaucratic delays. We’ve met every requirement, yet we’re still waiting for a license and frequency to serve our people effectively.”
The radio station, intended to amplify local voices and provide critical updates on council initiatives, has garnered a modest online following but struggles to reach its full potential. “This was meant to be a free, inclusive platform for all Kanifing residents, not just those with internet access,” Bensouda added. “We urge the Ministry of Information and PURA to act swiftly to grant us the license we’ve worked so hard to secure.”
The ongoing delay highlights broader challenges in regulatory processes for community-driven initiatives in The Gambia. KMC remains hopeful that the authorities will resolve the issue, allowing the station to broadcast on air and fulfill its mission of connecting and informing the Kanifing community.
