Abdul Hamid YAKUB, the National Program Officer for Communication and Information at UNESCO-Ghana, has urged governments worldwide to allocate resources to public and community radio stations to continue serving the public interest. YAKUB emphasized that radio provides a platform for citizens to engage, and thus, investing in this medium is critical.
On the occasion of World Radio Day, YAKUB celebrated the contribution of radio to public discourse and called for manufacturers not to phase out AM radio in vehicles. He noted that radio in cars plays a significant role in enabling people to engage in discussions while driving, and its removal would be detrimental.
While the originality of radio may have been lost over time, YAKUB highlighted the adaptability of radio, which has enabled it to evolve to changing times.
World Radio Day was proclaimed by Member States of UNESCO in 2011 and adopted by the United Nations General Assembly in 2012 as an International Day. It is celebrated annually on February 13th.