Promoting women’s democratic participation in local governance: The role of community radio in Damongo, Savannah Region, Ghana

Abstract

This study explored the role community radio (CR) plays in promoting women’s political empowerment for participation in leadership and decision-making processes in the Savannah Region of Ghana. Guided by the Empowerment Theory and the Participatory Communication Theory, it examined how CR fosters agency, amplifies women's voices, and promotes inclusive political engagement. An exploratory case study design was adopted, focusing on Radio for Peace and Development (PAD) in the West Gonja Municipal Area. The target population of the study comprised institutions, experts, and individuals at the national, local, and community levels who were key stakeholders in Radio PAD, community radio, and women’s empowerment in Damongo and Ghana. A purposive sampling technique was employed to pick 18 respondents who included community women as the primary participants, as well as key informants such as the queen mother, chief, community radio expert, local political figures, a female political figure from the Savannah Region, and the Municipal Gender Desk Officer (MGDO). Data was collected using a key informant interview guide and a focus group discussion guide. The data was analyzed and organized into themes using thematic content analysis. Both deductive and inductive coding methods were applied. The findings revealed that patriarchal structures, cultural norms, and socio-economic barriers significantly hinder women’s political participation. Despite these challenges, radio PAD emerged as a platform for promoting women's participation through targeted programs such as Aboyamilso, Aboyagbon, and Within the Issues, as well as the broadcasts in local dialects to enhance accessibility and participation. The study concludes that in as much as community radio can be a meaningful catalyst in enhancing women’s political empowerment, broadcasting alone cannot dismantle deep-rooted barriers. This study recommended that radio stations, including Radio PAD, can implement gender-responsive programming with measurable inclusion targets. Government agencies like the NCA and the NCCE must establish policy guidelines that mandate content to be gender inclusive. District and municipal assemblies can also work alongside radio stations to develop civic educational programs and content that would cater to women in underserved communities.