It has been months in the making and has taken quiet focus and extensive work to attain, but it is now here.
Starting this morning, Ghanaians can once again tune into Radio Gold 90.5 FM frequency, as the station is back on air once again and about to roll out the best of radio programming that provides alternative views to the business-usual media stuff.
The Board, Management and staff of Radio Gold; “The Power Station”, have been tightlipped about the progress of work at the risk of being chided by some listeners whose patience was stretched thin.
During the period of works to restore the station, staff had only one response to the question of when the station would resume operations that was “soon”.
This response was largely informed by the fact that a lot of work was required and the thin resources both material and human, available to do that work.
Even when they were heard on air for two days, Radio Gold issued a statement to clarify the suggestion that it was back to work because Management and Board did not want to miss a single step as they have found friends in short supply during three years in the radio wilderness full of uncertainty.
This cautious approach may have perhaps been informed by the fact that the station has had to rely on loyal listeners to keep the brand afloat.
All said and done, the station can now definitely give a date for the commencement of operations and that is, today.
From Today, the station will test transmission on the authorization of the regulator of the broadcast industry in Ghana, the National Communication Authority (NCA).
This period would be all music, no talk or regular programming as is the case for all new stations.
Despite celebrating 26 years in broadcasting on March 6, 2022, Radio Gold is having to start afresh and has received the treatment accorded new stations by the regulator.
This meant, Radio Gold over the past few months, has had to go through the same tests that new radio stations have to pass as this was the requirement for the restoration of the indefatigable power station.
The fact that they are starting broadcast means they have passed that test and for the next few weeks, Board and Management would heave a sigh of relief.
But there is more work to be done as expectations continue to grow with listeners expecting spell binding re-entry into the array of radio broadcasting.
The task has fallen on the shoulders of a man who knows what Radio Gold represents, James Agyenim-Boateng.
The revered broadcaster cum lawyer, has the task to build a new Radio Gold that retains the allure of the Power Station and is able to compete in a fast changing broadcasting environment.
Luckily for him, he has the resilient, committed and experienced staff he needs to do this.
Radio Gold, would largely be relying on a group of young and dynamic people who have shown their mettle over the past few years.
This group, have assumed the responsibility of keeping the brand alive with little or no motivation.
This group has for three years worked with sources of funding that would make any group of young men walk out and seek other opportunities; in fact, some colleagues walked out and found new opportunities in other organizations including sister media houses.
This skeletal group have held on and broadcasted online to listeners and viewers in all parts of the world.
These members of the Radio Gold staff would hand over to management, an organically built following on Social media that can guide and mold the next phase of Radio Gold.
One thing is for sure, Radio Gold’s path back to the industry has not been easy.
The staff, who have ran the station’s breakfast show, Gold Power Drive, the popular Pampaso and Konkonsa reporting tell stories of the struggles they have gone through to keep the brand running.
They have had to work twice as hard and manage with little resources as help was not forthcoming.
Even resource persons were in short supply, but they have kept going.
Luckily for them, Pampaso, has experienced a boost with the coming onboard of Loud Silence TV on Multi TV.
The programme is now watched around the country, because US based Independent Ghanaian Media outlet Loud Silence Media led by outspoken Ghanaian media personality, Kevin Taylor, decided to broadcast some programmes of the station.
From the look of things, Radio Gold, would see more growth with the return of 90.5FM.
