MONROVIA, Liberia — Liberia Telecommunications Authority (LTA) Commissioner Patrick Honnah has provided financial support to several community radio stations across Liberia to strengthen grassroots broadcasting and motivate local journalists.
By Franklin Doloquee
A former broadcast journalist Honnah said community radio is essential to advancing the government’s development agenda by giving ordinary Liberians a voice and improving access to information and opportunities for empowerment.
He described the assistance as recognition of the important work community radio journalists do often with limited resources and on a largely voluntary basis to inform and engage communities nationwide.
“As an ex-practitioner, I feel obligated to support media development,” Honnah said.
“Government cannot do everything, so I am using my limited resources to assist media houses at the community level,” he stated
Honnah intimated that he will continue collaborating with community radio practitioners to help communicate government programs and development initiatives to ordinary people.
He also urged stations to report the progress of President Joseph Nyuma Boakai’s Administration accurately, adding, “Media institutions don’t have to lie about what the President is doing; significant development is taking place across the country.”
Receiving the support on behalf of the beneficiaries, Radio Kwatekeh General Manager and CEO Papa Morris thanked Commissioner Honnah for the gesture, saying the assistance will motivate community radio journalists and strengthen their capacity to serve listeners.
Morris noted Honnah’s long-standing ties to local media, recalling that Honnah has remained in regular contact with community radio practitioners since his time at the Liberia Broadcasting System.
Morris added that the relationship between local media and Honnah has evolved beyond financial assistance to one of familial support.
The initiative is expected to deepen collaboration between community radio stations and stakeholders promoting public information and community development in Liberia.
