On Friday, August 7, Search for Common Ground distributed radio sets to youth and women’s associations to increase their understanding and involvement in elections. The 76 radios distributed are part of a wider campaign funded by USAID to improve public access to credible, fact-based information about elections. Catherine Baudais, founder and director of Radio Familia FM, a key SFCG partner, told the youth and women present that SFCG-Talking Drum Studio produced good quality radio shows centered around preparation for elections. “This is exactly what we need,” she said. She encouraged the audience to make good use of their new radio sets and listen particularly to SFCG-TDS election-related programs on Radio Familia.Nearly 40 members of four partner associations were also present including the chief of the Lambanyi neighborhood of Conakry and Quentin Kanyatsi, director of SFCG-Guinea.
After a brief presentation of the work and goals of SFCG in Guinea, Kanyatsi presided over the distribution of the radio sets. He framed the event as an “elections” project, and stated that one of its goals is to use radio as a means to increase the participation of citizens in the electoral process through education. To reach this goal, SFCG is producing radio spot messages that give information on how to register to vote, the importance of voting wisely, and the definition of what ‘free and fair’ elections really means. Mr. Kanyatsi focused particularly on the importance for women and youth having access to reliable information.In speeches, the heads of various associations present spoke about their own goals and hopes for a peaceful and democratic Guinea, and thanked those who enabled the members of their association to have access to radio information. Through radio voters will receive information to understand the electoral process and make educated choices about the future of their country.