For 2017, Citi FM came second with a daily audience share of 84,000, as against Peace FM’s, 111,000, whereas Joy FM came third with 83,000.

The Ranking also noted that, Citi FM saw the highest improvement in increasing its audience share. In Quarter Two, Citi FM increased its share from 9% to 11% and in Quarter Four as well.

The station’s ranking is a huge improvement from 2016, where it came third nationally, but was still the topmost English station, whiles Peace FM came first, with Adom FM being second.

This is one of the few times that an English-speaking station has come second, considering that mostly, the top Akan-speaking stations take a wider lead in the ranking.

This is a proof that, the station, which celebrated its 13th anniversary on November 5, 2016, has become the preferred choice for many discerning radio listeners, as it remains committed to its mission of building the most influential radio brand, through innovative and quality radio programming.

According to the ranking, in quarter three of 2017, Citi  FM was leading with a 13% share compared to 12% for Peace FM.

But Peace FM led in the average audience numbers in all four quarters throughout the year.

For radio, GeoPoll analysed data at the regional level in Greater Accra, Ashanti, and Western regions, as seen in the charts below.

In Ashanti, Hello, Nhyira, Kessben, and Luv led as the top four stations.

Throughout the year in Ashanti, Hello led in ratings, although in quarter four, there was stiffer competition between the top two stations: Both Hello FM and Nhyira had a 13% share. Kessben performed well through quarter three; however, Luv took the third spot in quarter 4 with 10% share.

In Western, Goodnews FM in Takoradi, and Space FM in Tarkwa, competed for the top spot, followed by Skyypower FM, and Rok FM competing for third.

Top TV stations in Ghana

Adom TV was the leading station in 2017 with 662,000 average viewers. It was followed by TV3 and UTV to close out the top three. Joy Prime sits in fourth at 364,000 average viewers.

Adom TV was the dominant station throughout 2017, holding the lead in viewers each quarter. Quarter four of 2017 had a bit more parity among the top stations, with Adom TV at 12.7% viewer share, TV3 at 12.4% share, and UTV with 11.3% share respectively.

The ranking also concluded that, Adom TV and Daily Graphic led Ghana Media Consumption in the year under review.

Newspaper Readership

GeoPoll found that Daily Graphic was the most popular daily newspaper, at 1.5 million readers per day, followed by the Daily Guide at 726,000, and the Ghanaian Times in third at 532,000.

The GeoPoll Media Measurement service has been examining ratings and audience share for the top stations in Ghana, Kenya, Uganda, Tanzania, Rwanda, Democratic Republic of Congo, Mozambique and Nigeria to provide media insights into markets where data is scarce.

GeoPoll has been doing this in Ghana through mobile phone surveys since 2014.

Ghana enjoys a vibrant media landscape with about 392 radio stations, 51 TV Stations as per the National Communications Authority of Ghana 2017 report and over 15 newspaper publications.

With the general lack of precise, granular audience measurement data, media buying brands, agencies, and media outlets hedge their bets when it comes to advertising spend.

GeoPoll said “By using our overnight media data, distribution of ad spend across a variety of channels and timeslots ensures that the target market is adequately reached with advertising, placements, and sponsorships.”

Citi FM picks two awards at CIMG Awards

Citi FM 97.3 in September 2017, picked up two awards at the Chartered Institute of Marketing Ghana (CIMG) for the year 2016.

The awards which were for the Citi Breakfast Show and citifmonline.com according to CIMG is in “recognition of your excellence in strategic marketing in the year 2016.”

Whereas the Citi Breakfast Show was adjudged the Radio Programme of the Year, citifmonline.com was named as the Emerging Digital Media Organization.

This was the third time in four years the Citi Breakfast Show was adjudged the Radio Programme of the Year, a demonstration of the show’s consistency in delivery quality radio service to discerning listeners in the country.

Citi FM wins 6 GJA awards; anti-galamsey campaign recognized

The station in December 2017, also strengthened its position as one of Ghana’s leading radio brands as it bagged six awards at the Ghana Journalists Association [GJA] Awards at the Banquet Hall in Accra.

The station’s anti-galamsey campaign, ‘Stop Galamsey Now’, which was launched in 2017, came up for special mention at the ceremony, with the station picking up an award for its unrelenting fight against the menace.

Citi FM’s flagship programme, the Citi Breakfast Show, was named the best talkshow on radio, adding to the award it won at the Chartered Institute of Marketing Ghana (CIMG) awards in September this year.

Citi FM also picked up honours for Best Political Reporting as well as an Anti-Corruption Award for the station.

Host of the station’s news analysis programme, The Big Issue, Umaru Sanda Amadu, also picked up an award for his work in development journalism, which is contributing towards the attainments of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDG).

Another of the station’s reporters, Kojo Agyeman, who emerged first runner-up in the 2017 edition of the Ghana Mining Industry Awards, was also given a special award for his reports.
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By: Ebenezer Afanyi Dadzie/citifmonline.com/Ghana

The post Citi FM maintains position as top English Radio station – GeoPoll appeared first on Citi 97.3 FM - Relevant Radio. Always.

The FDA’s current guidelines for the Advertisements on Foods (Section 3.2.6) and specifically the requirements for advertisements of alcoholic beverages, states that: “Radio and Television advertisements shall not be aired between the hours of 0600 am and 2000.”

However, lax enforcement of this regulation has seen alcoholic beverages advertised at all times of the day.

According to the Public Relations Officer (PRO) of the FDA, James Lartey, persons who are found to be flouting the directive could face prison terms of up to 15 years as well as a fine of about 7, 500 cedis.

He stated that the move had become necessary because of the rise in the number alcohol ads during the day enticing minors to try these beverages, and ultimately affecting their health.

“Currently we have looked at the level of alcohol consumption in the media, it is very bad. And I think the earlier, we bring some stringent measures the better. So we feel that this is an attempt to actually enforce that aspect of the regulation,” he said.

He said, for now, the FDA is targeting the traditional media outlets although they are aware other channels could be used to promote these beverages.

James Lartey, however, suggested that in time the Association will look at enforcing the law on these other channels, including the various social media platforms.

“For now we are looking at TV and radio, that is what our regulations say, TV and radio, but like I mentioned earlier, regulation is dynamic, as we go along if we realized the need to include another medium, why not we will,” he said.

He also stated that the police will be assisting FDA in apprehending the culprits.

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By: Farida Yusif/citifmonline.com/Ghana

The post FDA to crack down on alcohol advertisements before 8pm appeared first on Citi 97.3 FM - Relevant Radio. Always.

Dear Radio*,

Your coming into Ghana has been good for our democracy.

You brought an era of “days in the dark” to an end. You became irresistible in giving back power to the sons and daughters of our land. When people asked to be heard, you gave them the microphones. Thank you Radio!

Since private radio was “conceived” by the 1992 constitution [Article 162(3), it was not until June 1995 that Joy Fm was licensed to operate as a private radio. Prior to that in May 1994, Charles Wireko Brobbey [Tarzan] and his team of technicians were arrested for broadcasting his “Radio Eye” channel in Accra.

Tarzan’s broadcast was shut down by state security 24 hours after first broadcast. His crime was that, airing his channel was an attempt at breaking state monopoly over broadcasting. At this time however, the constitution had been “pregnant” of private radio liberty for some two years.

The real ‘freedom’ came when radio was reborn in the 2000s. The criminal libel law was repealed, and that opened the floodgates to freedom of speech ‘on radio’. Everyone was happy, including the Montie 3.

But my father was super happy. At least, he could finish his two balls of Fufu and light soup in peace without having to be dragged before the local Sanhedrin for commenting on the state of affairs at a public gathering in the village.

That was courtesy, radio privatization!
But dear Radio, you are 20 something years old in Ghana, and as it is expected of every maturing adult, a great sense of maturity is to be exhibited. Sadly, you appear fixated. You appear taking too much political breast milk even in your adulthood. You are eating too much “kooko” after 2 decades of being fed.

Radio and the “Political breast milk”
Dear Radio, be reminded that political figures in the 90s opposed the idea of your privatization. They feared their interests were going to be thwarted when you inform Ghanaians regularly of their actions. And so when they realized that your privatization was inevitable, they appeared to be your friends. In truth, they wanted to control you, which is why they continue to feed you with “breast milk”. They now own and influence your content.

But Radio, consider this: There were times in human history when political power was aggressively snatched and taken over by military men. After years of abuse, corruption, famine, under development, atrocities and misgovernment etc., time proved that the military regime was not “friendly”.

Democracy was opted. But democracy also meant “all” citizens agreeing to hand over power to a group of people through the ballot. With evidence of abuse of power in some democracies, this power needed to be policed by the citizens. The citizens entrusted this policing work largely to radio or the media.

Radio then became one of the means of serving as watchdog over politicians. That explains why the media is the fourth most powerful organ of the state. You police the executive, judiciary and the legislature. If you have realized, not every citizen is able to go to places where journalist are permitted entry. So, Radio, you dare not fail democracy!

But as you continue to go about your policing work, Radio, politicians will want to feed you with their milk, and will do anything to get you to drink. The reason?

“When a million people hear the same subject matter, the same arguments and appeals, the same music and humor, when their attention is held in the same way and at the same time to the same stimuli, it is psychologically inevitable that they should acquire in some degree common interests, common tastes and common attitudes”. [Cantrell H. and Allport G.W. 1935]

With this in their minds, you have to guard against their tricks. They will want to use you to propagate their lies and cover their wrongs. You should not sit down for this group to decide what you police. Know that there is going to be a real threat. Drink not their milk, Radio!

At this stage, permit me to pay glowing tribute to some of your finest sons, at least those that I met.

Radio, encourage the likes of Bernard Avle, Kwame Sefa Kayi, Richard Dela Sky etc. who I know match these politicians boot for boot on their channels not to sway. Tell the upcoming practitioners to learn from these ones. Let them know how radio started, where it has reached, and where it is going. Tell them to stop wining and dining with politicians.

Radio in the gutters
At the national level, radio, sometime in 2016 turned against people who fought for its liberation. Judges who fought for media freedom were the people you sought to abuse. The Montie 3 is an example. Some of your sons have wined and dined with those in power to their entrapment. They have fallen in love with their wine. As a result, they spit fire [biegya] uncontrollably. But the aftermath we all know. This was at the national level.

In rural Ghana, Radio, the story may not be same, but also disturbing. Many of the Radio channels are sadly owned by people Radio must police. I believe you see the irony here! Picture a rural politician knowing he or she is one step close to either a win or lose in an election. They decide the content and pattern of what presenters and host should say. They pay for abusive language, intimidating commentary, shallow debates, biased commentators, skewed news content, cooked up stories among others. That’s what radio sees in rural Ghana. In fact, in rural Ghana, I am tempted to say Radio sees dirty local politics than probably in the big cities. Like what is done on Montie or Oman Fm, a stance is taken to discredit opposing political parties. Politicians are supported by some watchdogs to drag radio into the gutters!

Fixated Radio
Society is dynamic. It keeps changing at all levels. Our collective developmental needs too; either as individuals, town council, sub metro, district, region or a country keeps evolving. For radio to be relevant and police power, it needs to follow the trend, invest in research, give in house training to its staff and employ new hands when the need be. The ultimate goal is to get people in power do the right thing.

Sadly, many rural radios are repeating what listeners have been told years back. No investment into finding new heights. I got furious last week when one radio station in Cape Coast was asking listeners to comment on whether they will like to marry a rich man or poor man. In this day and age in the 21st century?

Others have also resorted to affiliating. A rural radio seeing national news as its major news bulletin is problematic. Affiliating, despite its other importance impedes rural development. It does not encourage rural radios to invest in research that will grow themselves and their communities. Do you see Peace Fm or Adom Fm listing over a hundred affiliate radios during their news bulletin? The numbers even keeps growing!

Like police, radio is always looking for the bad guys and unravels their bad acts. If the police are not well trained or resourced, your guess is as good as mine. In short, radio, we are in the 21st century, wean yourself from politicians, they are not your friends! Invest in research and data collection. Keep your library in shape for long, and build the capacity of your staff.

Remember where you were, and the treatment politicians meted out to you before your privatization. Remember where you have reached, and where you want to go.

Know that you have people more than politicians to account to. Notice that power belongs to the people, and whichever group they wish to give, they do. Understand your place in this democratic dispensation. Notice that the 21st century politician is more cunning than you might have thought! Above all, notice that the interest of the people overrides our individual wishes.
Thank you Radio
[*Radio as used here refers to the media; print, online and other forms]

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By: Obrempong Yaw Ampofo/citifmonline.com/Ghana
[[email protected]]

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