Kojo Mensah, veteran broadcaster and current General Manager of Asaase Broadcasting Company Limited, has reflected on the evolution of radio and its enduring role in connecting communities, particularly in the face of emerging technologies like artificial intelligence (AI).
His comments came on the occasion of World Radio Day, celebrated globally to highlight the significance of radio in society.
Speaking on the Asaase Breakfast Show on Friday (13 February), Mensah drew on his decades-long experience with United Nations radio in Sierra Leone, Liberia, and South Sudan, where radio was often the only source of timely and undiluted information for entire populations.
“The only tool that we had was radio to communicate with every part of the community at the same time, in a way that allowed the message to remain undiluted and free from rumours, speculation, and hate speech,” he said.
On the theme of this year’s World Radio Day—Radio and Artificial Intelligence: AI as a tool, not a voice—Mensah stressed caution in the adoption of AI in broadcasting.
“The tools that AI provides have to be used in a very sensitive way,” he noted. “AI can make work more efficient, but if misused, it can amplify hate speech or misinformation.”
Highlighting the enduring human aspect of radio, Mensah emphasised the importance of the broadcaster’s voice.
“Empathy, understanding, care—these are not computer-generated. People connect with human beings, not machines,” he said. For him, the essence of radio lies in human connection, trust, and the ability to communicate effectively with listeners.
Reflecting on what makes a great broadcaster, Mensah underlined creativity, intelligence, and the ability to relate to listeners’ realities.
He recalled moments in Ghana’s history when the voice of trusted broadcasters helped calm the nation during times of uncertainty, proving that in radio, the human touch remains irreplaceable.
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Affiliates: Bawku FM 101.5, Bead FM 99.9 (Bimbilla), Mining City Radio 89.5 (Tarkwa), Nandom FM 101.9, Nyatefe Radio 94.5 (Dzodze), Sissala Radio 96.3 (Tumu), Somuaa FM 89.9 (Gushegu), Stone City 90.7 (Ho) and Wale FM 106.9 (Walewale).
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