Voices in Harmony – Amadu Mubaric Convening Dialogue on Air

The small studio of Gwollu FM Community Radio hums with quiet energy. Around the wooden table, a panel of voices gathers, made up of a local imam, a man of God, a traditional leader, and a young woman activist. Their differences are clear of base on their faith, age, and background, but in this room, their microphones point in the same direction.

The host, Amadu Mubaric, a young presenter guiding the conversation. With headphones on and his fingers brushing the soundboard, Amadu weaves music, dialogue, and languages into a single broadcast. He fades out the latest track, greets his listeners in Sissali, then switches to Waale, Dagaare, and English, making sure every voice in the community feels included.

“Music opens the heart,” he explains, adjusting the mic for his guests. “Once people are listening, dialogue becomes easier, whether it’s about peace, development, or living together despite our differences,” he said.

Frequently, Amadu uses his programme to host panels that reflect the diversity of Gwollu. Religious leaders sit side by side with youth and women’s groups, discussing challenges like migration, unemployment, and social cohesion. In between discussions, he plays carefully chosen songs, sometimes a afro gospel, other times a traditional Sissali melody or a reggae track loved by the youth. The mix creates a rhythm of unity, where difference does not divide but connects.

Listeners call in, often switching languages mid-sentence, reflecting the multilingual spirit of the show. Some share concerns, others request songs, and many simply thank Amadu for giving them a voice. The radio waves carry not just music and conversation, but a subtle reminder: diverse voices can live in harmony.

Supported by UNDP’s peacebuilding efforts in Northern Ghana, Amadu has been trained in conflict-sensitive journalism, helping him frame discussions that address tensions without fueling division. His studio has become a safe space where people can openly share their views, knowing their words will be handled with fairness.

Community leaders note the difference. Conversations that might once have stayed locked in suspicion now flow across the airwaves, softened by Amadu’s music and inclusive hosting. For him, the reward is simple: “When I hear callers say they understand each other better because of what they listened to on my show, I know we are building peace.”

Through his platform, Amadu demonstrates the power of local radio as a convening tool, a space where faiths, languages, and generations come together, and where a young voice leads the way in shaping dialogue for peace. “When you hear something, say something,” Amadu’s slogan. 

The studio of Yagbon Radio in Bole, Savannah Region, comes alive every morning with the voice of Fatawu Duwari, the morning show and drive-time host, where panels discuss relevant topics that promotes peace and harmony across the Savannah.

According to Fatawu, the work doesn’t end when the microphones are switched off. After his shows, he takes the time to travel long distances into remote communities, villages far from Bole where people rarely have direct access to important information. There, he meets chiefs and engages with community members, listening to their concerns and sharing knowledge.

Through these journeys, Fatawu sees firsthand how vulnerable many of his listeners are. This fuels his commitment to use Yagbon Radio not only for music and entertainment but also as a platform for education and empowerment. By blending the wide reach of radio with face-to-face interactions, he ensures that the campaign’s messages truly resonate and bring change to those who need it most.