FIRST it was Radio Lethem, Region Nine, in May 2016, then Radio Mabaruma, Barima/Waini,Region One, in June 2016.

This was followed by Radio Mahdia, Potaro-Siparuni, Region Eight, in October 2017 and Radio Bartica, Cuyuni-Mazaruni, Region Seven in November 2017; then, finally, Radio Aishalton, Region Nine, in February 2018 and Radio Orealla, East Berbice-Corentyne, in April, 2018. These are in addition to Radio Paiwomak, the first community radio station.

In the space of two years, from May 2016 to April 2018, the Regional Public Broadcasting Service Project has spearheaded what can be described as a definite revolution in radio in Guyana. For the first time in the history of national broadcasting, radio has been carried to the wider hinterland, effecting connectivity to communities in six of Guyana’s 10 administrative regions.

Since its assumption of office, changing the mindset about the hinterland and its perceived physical and mental distance from the rest of Guyana has been one of the urgent major socio-economic development priorities of the A Party for National Unity+ Alliance For Change government(APNU+AFC) government.

Radio is one of the components of this grand design for hinterland socio-economic development and of bridging the divide between the hinterland and coastal Guyana, removing in the process, the perception of the vast geographic land space as being “another country’’.

This is about community radio and its role as a means of communication for development. Radio is critical to the development of livelihoods, especially in distant communities, as it is also about providing timely public service information about national events, since as an indivisible part of Guyana, citizens of the hinterland have the right as other regions and citizens to be informed. Its role is therefore all- encompassing, as it has a powerful capacity to improve literacy and an update of knowledge.

Further, as a conduit for community development, radio has a very crucial role to play in highlighting the importance of agriculture as a means of commercial finance; education as a tool for improving literacy and alleviating poverty, while discussing social problems. It is also the appropriate medium that can facilitate the capacities of people within communities to work together in seeking answers to communal problems, while allowing a forum for a diversity of opinions on issues.

Significantly, radio as the key medium of hinterland communication, is strategically placed to become the fulcrum in President David Granger’s vision for the creation of capital towns that are intended to be the engine for national development. It has the power to provide the building blocks for our indigenous peoples’ understanding, participation, and contribution to the transformation and empowerment process of their communities. This aspect of hinterland socio-economic development is about ensuring secure livelihoods for our indigenous peoples, and by extension, economically vibrant communities that will become self-sufficient.

Given the rich history of the splendour that is indigenous culture, the introduction of hinterland community radio stations is not only overdue, but a just and appropriate acquisition. As a people, who are at liberty to practise and observe their traditions, customs, and culture, radio stations will now provide a perfect avenue to project their beautiful cultural tapestry further into the wider Guyanese family, of which they are an indelible part.

But radio, given its advantages of being cheap, crossing the barriers of illiteracy and its far reach, can also be used for invaluable information, especially for farmers regarding best practices for agricultural farming, in terms of weather patterns and plant husbandry. And in an area where extractive mining is a predominant economic activity, the importance of radio as a means of hosting programmes on mining and its effects on the environment, and market prices for precious stones, will be very instructive. Finally, and most important is the seminal goal of radio, bringing about a closing of the gap between the hinterland and coastal distance. This, we contend, is pivotal, to the spread and inclusivity of national development policies, and the prized goal of fostering social cohesion.