The Oral Testimony Radio Project of Panos West Africa

The Concept
Radio is the most popular, pervasive and affordable means of communication in developing countries like Ghana and Sierra Leone, where lack of basic infrastructure and illiteracy are common denominators, and where funds to produce and distribute media materials for development are in very short supply. The radio, viewed against the backdrop of problems highlighted, would be the most viable and accessible medium of instruction and communication.

The Panos Institute West Africa has set up, in both countries, a pilot radio project using Oral Testimonies. The methodology of Oral Testimony (OT) radio reporting is based on a specific interview method using the “Oral Testimonies” of the local population in their original languages. Local and rural community radio stations generally broadcast in these languages, as a result, interpretation and communication problems are not foreseen.

OT interviews are long and extensive discussions on one specific topic. Although there may well be a broad issue or theme (for instance, Conflict Resolution), which the interviewer tries to cover, every interview will be different, as it is mainly the narrator, rather than the interviewer who influences the shape and content of the interview.

OT focuses on “hidden” voices, contexts and content. These are exactly the same areas of emphasis that community radio stations aim at. Therefore, the application of OT in community radio programme production is seen as particularly appropriate. Unlike the normal and familiar character featured on air, the listener learns that the people involved, the speakers or narrators are ordinary folk. Essentially, their ideas, wisdom and concerns are being passed on unnoticed, unrecognized and are therefore of no consequence on the development process.

The Oral Testimony Radio Production project of Panos West Africa was the first of its kind. Based on the firm conviction that community radio programming can help develop the capacities of communities in general, it is believed that this methodology enhances the capacity of radio stations to listen to and give voice to their communities.

Between December 2001 and May 2003, several Oral Testimony Radio Training Workshops were organized in Ghana (Ada) and Sierra Leone (Bo). Those workshops involved 13 producers from community radio stations in Ghana and 7 producers from independent private stations in Sierra Leone. Following the workshop, six of the stations (Radio Ada, Radio Peace and Radio Progress in Ghana; Radio Skyy FM, Radio Kiss FM and Radio Democracy in Sierra Leone) developed, produced and broadcasted oral testimony radio documentary programs during a period of 18 months. The documentaries were to be on the general theme of Peace, Democracy and Citizenship, with a special focus on traditional conflict resolution for Ghana and reconciliation for Sierra Leone.

The Results – impressions and experiences
During the follow-up sessions all radio producers were asked to give off-the-cuff statements about what they liked and learned most about the project. All of them liked the end product which was "original, authentic and most useful. It enabled radio producers to listen more to people in the community. It was good community radio work”

The focus on the Oral Testimony methodology, adapted for radio-use, brought about a concept of a more "listener friendly" radio format that facilitates integration and synthesis and encourages creativity (unity in diversity). All participants agreed that the format is suited to community radio objectives and approach. The conclusion was that the material collected and produced was a “treasure”. In Ghana, Radio Ada, Radio Peace and Radio Progress each produced four radio documentaries. In Sierra Leone, Radio Skyy FM, Radio Kiss FM and Radio Democracy each produced 12 Life Histories.

For both countries, new series are planned in 2003 and 2004. Future productions will treat different topics that relate the aspiration and hope of ordinary citizens. The persons' testimonies will focus on reconciliation issues with a positive view towards the future: what are the hopes of Sierra Leoneans now that peace has been successfully restored in the country ? How do people deal -on a day to day basis- with issues like forgiveness, amnesty, integration of ex-combatants, ... All programs will highlight in their final formats, positive integration aspects, like respect for diversity (ethnic, social, sexual, linguistic) and thus contribute toward the building of a culture of peace and tolerance in Ghana and Sierra Leone.

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