Late 1993 the Dean of Students in consultation with the Vice Chancellor and the executive of the SRC, proposed the setting up of a campus radio station to be called the Voice of Legon (VOL) now Radio Univers, and subsequently applied to the Ghana Frequency Registration and Control Board (GFRCB), for authorization.

Through student contributions of C1000 per head, plus matching funds from the University, relevant FM radio transmission funds from the University, relevant FM radio transmission equipment and accessories were imported from Britain: namely, two sets of 22-watts FM radio transmitters, one Omni-directional antenna, a 60 metre feeder cable complete with connectors and fixing hardware.

Test transmission started in October 1993. On February 19^th 1994 the Voice of Legon now Radio Univers was granted permission by the GFRCB to “set up and operate an Experimental FM radio station on a frequency of 99.7 MHZ over 12.5 kilometre radius.”

On 29^th December 1994, an order for discontinuation of transmission, was issued by the GFRCB on the grounds that the frequency on which the station was operating had not been approved by the Board: and that VOL’S equipment and studio had not been duly inspected the Board and certifies as satisfactory.

After a schedule inspection by the GFRCB in January, and further negotiations between the University and GFRCB, a final authorization for transmission was given in February 19^th 1995. In the interim, though the frequency 99.7MHz originally used by VOL had been re-allocated to another station. VOL was assigned a new frequency of 105.7MHz on which the station has been transmitting since 1995.

The station is operated by student/staff volunteers and other members of the University of Ghana community and its environs. The station serves as a laboratory for the training of students from the School of Communication and Information Studies and the general student body. It has a management board with representations from the SRC, TEWU, FUSSAG, GRASSAG, School of Communication and Information Studies, Law, and the Dean of Students.

Objectives

The major objective of Radio Univers shall be to help put the university’s vast human and intellectual resources readily at the service of the public. This will be done through:

1. Discussion of research findings of students and faculty, through interviews and broadcast of inter-faculty lectures, inaugural/memorial lectures, seminars, and other discursive events of academic and general interest.
2. Formulation and execution of radio programmes that foster community and national development as well as enhance the university’s outreach schemes.
3. Targeting pre-university, and university students, and offering radio lessons in selected subject areas including basic language teaching, communication/study skills
4. Radio Univers’ major objectives have been to facilitate communication between the University administration and students, and also enable hall of residence and the SRC to improve their outreach services in Accra and its environs
5. Social use in the provision of entertainment and the dissemination of cultural values
6. Facilitate horizontal and vertical communication on the University campus.
7. Provide practical broadcasting training to students and staff.
8. Radio Univers’ major objectives have been to facilitate communication between the University administration and students, and also enable hall of residence and the SRC to improve their outreach services in Accra and its environs

BY: Dr. (Alhaji) Abubakari Sidick Ahmed