Africa-Press – Liberia. Under the leadership of Director General Estelle Liberty Kemoh, the Liberia Broadcasting System has launched the nation’s first vernacular radio station, dedicated to broadcasting programs in Liberia’s major tribes.
The dedication ceremony at the LBS compound in Paynesville on Monday marked a significant moment in restoring the original purpose of the Liberia Broadcasting System, incorporating the Liberia Rural Communications Network (LRCN), said Madam Kemoh.
During the event, Madam Kemoh expressed her enthusiasm for providing rural dwellers with a genuine voice through the newly established Liberia National Language Radio. She acknowledged the challenges faced by past administrations in accommodating multiple Liberian languages on the English national radio channel and expressed gratitude for the support received from the Minister of Information and the Board Chairman.
The National Language Radio, operating on a frequency of 97.7MHZ, aims to connect with rural communities, utilizing modern technology to address their needs and aspirations. Madam Kemoh emphasized the importance of developing vernacular programs focused on development communication, promoting Liberian arts, culture, and national reconciliation.
“Let’s use this new platform to expand and promote national government’s agenda in Agriculture, health, sanitation, education, business & trade, as well as national reconciliation, unity and peace,” she urged.
“We must utilize the new Liberia National Rural Radio to promote Liberian Arts & Culture, music, dance, including the translation of Liberian languages, under our core mandate as the national broadcast service.”
She thanked her management team and staff for the cooperation and support, especially the technical team, headed Mr. Tepenty Young, and at the same acknowledged the Pivotal role of the Deputy Director General for Rural Broadcasting Mr. Isaac Redd and team for leading the retraining process of the language staff for the initial start of our National Language Radio.
She said: “Additionally, we have today enhanced the technical and output capacity outreach of our entertainment Radio Metro FM 89.9. I and the entire workforce at LBS are truly grateful to be a part of this revolutionizing transformation at LBS. Thank you, Mr. Minister of Information & Chairman of our Board, for fully supporting and embracing this innovation. Please convey our deepest appreciation and gratitude to His Excellency, President George Manneh Weah for his support and confidence in our ability to manage the national broadcast service. We are truly grateful!”
Isaac G. Redd, Sr., the Deputy Director for Rural Broadcasting, highlighted the responsibility of the Rural Broadcasting Division to educate and inform rural communities about the government’s vision and policies. Mr. Redd stressed the importance of accurate information dissemination across Liberia’s 15 subdivisions and noted the division’s efforts to ensure the successful operation of LBS relay stations.
However, he Redd pointed out challenges, such as an illness of airtime, which has affected the Rural Broadcasting Department’s ability to provide adequate and accurate information to rural masses.
Officials present at the ceremony praised Madam Kemoh and her management team for their outstanding work at LBS over the past three years. Bomi County Senator Edwin Melvin Snowe commended Kemoh’s leadership and described the National Language Radio as her legacy project, urging the incoming administration to consider retaining her.
“Void of politics, we want to appeal to the President-elect Boakai to retain for her good work — let’s get work to serve as a campaign to be retained,” Senator Snowe said.
The Chairman of the National Traditional Council of Liberia Chief Zanzan Karwor, Internal Affairs Minister Varney Sirleaf, and Information Minister Ledgerhood J. Rennie also applauded Kemoh for her achievements in infrastructure development, technical advancements, and human capacity development during her tenure. They echoed the call for her retention, emphasizing the positive impact she has made on the rebranding and transformation of the state radio.
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