Universal Access to Information: Empowering Farmers through Community Radio

International Day for Universal Access to Information | 28 September 2025

Universal access to information is not just a right; it is a lifeline for communities facing the growing threats of climate change. In Ghana's drought-prone regions, farmers' access to accurate and timely climate information can mean the difference between a successful harvest and a failed one. Unfortunately, many rural farmers still face limited access to institutional extension services. In this context, radio and community-based media play a crucial role in bridging the information gap.

The Importance of Community Radio

Community radio has emerged as a vital tool for ensuring equal access to information about farming and climate change. It promotes inclusion and equips farmers with the tools required to adapt to changing conditions. Farmers are increasingly at risk due to climate change, facing prolonged droughts, unpredictable rainfall, and soil erosion. These factors threaten their productivity and food security. To adapt, farmers need more than just seeds, fertilisers, or financing; they require accurate and timely information. Thus, universal access to climate knowledge is not merely a choice but a necessity for building resilient communities.

The Role of Community Radio in Climate Information Sharing

Community radio stations operate on principles of participation and localisation. Unlike national broadcasters, they tailor their programming to meet local community needs and deliver content in the local language. This ensures that climate information is not only disseminated but also understood and applied. For smallholder farmers in drought-prone areas, radio programs provide timely weather updates, drought forecasts, and agronomic practices that help them prepare for shifting rainfall patterns.

These broadcasts can include reminders about planting schedules, alerts on expected dry spells, and information about government interventions, such as subsidised fertilisers or improved drought-tolerant seed varieties. This access is particularly crucial in communities where literacy levels are low, and other information platforms, such as mobile apps or online portals, remain inaccessible to them. A farmer who cannot read a weather bulletin online can still listen to a trusted local presenter deliver the same information in her native language, ensuring she has the knowledge to make critical farming decisions.

Promoting Social Learning

Beyond merely transferring information, community radio fosters social learning, a key strength of its approach. Farmers do not passively consume information; they engage, question, and learn collectively. Through interactive call-in programs and informal community discussions, they share experiences and adapt advice to their specific realities. For instance, when an agricultural officer shares advice on soil fertility management, a farmer may call in to explain how he applied the method in his field and what results he achieved.

At other times, when they meet within the community, they ask for clarification and have their problems solved. Others listening gain both technical knowledge and the confidence to adopt the practice themselves. Such exchanges build trust and demystify innovations, making adaptation more achievable. Community radio also provides opportunities for peer-to-peer learning, strengthening farmer networks within farmer-based organisations. Farmers hear from experts and each other, creating a cycle where knowledge spreads organically within the community. In this way, radio moves beyond information delivery to build resilience through collective empowerment.

Gender and Inclusion in Access to Information

A critical challenge is ensuring inclusivity in access to information. Women farmers, who play a central role in food production, often face barriers. Cultural norms may limit their participation in community dialogues, while household responsibilities reduce the time they can dedicate to listening to broadcasts. Women in rural households are less likely to own radios, creating an additional barrier to access.

Community radio has the potential to bridge these gaps by designing gender-sensitive programming. Including female voices as presenters and guests, and tailoring content to women's agricultural roles, are effective ways to improve inclusivity. Equally important are local narratives that reflect women's experiences, making the information relatable and empowering. Inclusivity also extends to youth, farmers with disabilities, and non-literate farmers. Community radio can effectively engage these groups by prioritising simplicity of language and using drama, songs, and storytelling.

Inclusive programming strengthens equity in adaptation outcomes, ensuring climate resilience is built collectively rather than leaving vulnerable groups behind.

Policy Implications

To realise universal access to information, policy frameworks must integrate community media into national extension and climate adaptation strategies. Governments, NGOs, and donor agencies should strengthen the capacity of community radio stations through targeted investments, training, and partnerships. Collaboration among meteorological services, input dealers, agricultural officers, and community radio is crucial to enhancing the accuracy and timeliness of climate forecasts.

Another promising approach is integrating radio with mobile phone platforms. For instance, farmers can receive SMS reminders linked to topics discussed on radio broadcasts, reinforcing learning and ensuring continuous engagement. Such hybrid models can help overcome the limitations of one medium while maximising impact. To sustain these efforts, policymakers should view community radio not as a supplementary service but as an integral part of the agricultural knowledge system. Long-term funding, supportive legislation, and cross-sector partnerships are critical for embedding community radio into national information dissemination and climate adaptation frameworks.

Conclusion

The International Day for Universal Access to Information reminds us that equitable access is central to resilience, empowerment, and sustainable development. In Ghana's drought-prone farming communities, community radio has proven to be more than a communication medium; it is a tool of empowerment, participation, and resilience. By providing timely climate information, promoting social learning, and ensuring inclusive access for women and other vulnerable groups, community radio strengthens farmers' capacity to adapt to climate change.

Its potential lies not only in information sharing but also in building communities that learn and act together. Ensuring its integration into climate adaptation strategies will amplify farmers' voices, safeguard livelihoods, and advance the universal right to information. If adequately supported, community radio can remain a trusted partner for smallholder farmers navigating uncertainty, turning voices of vulnerability into voices of resilience.

Dr Enoch Kwame Tham-Agyekum