Under the presidency of the Félix Houphouët-Boigny Foundation for Peace Research (FHB Foundation), Peace Radio organized a seminar for the preparation of its strategic plan for consolidation and development on February 17 and 18, 2018 in Grand Bassam. The theme was: “What positioning for the Peace Radio in the Ivorian audiovisual landscape ?”. Indeed, it was important to take stock of the achievements of the radio to provide new directions at the organizational, technical and communication levels.
It should be recalled that this radio was created following the signing of a memorandum of understanding between the State of Côte d’Ivoire, the United Nations (UN) and the FHB Foundation. Thus, it started its programs since March 1, 2017 under the aegis of the FHB Foundation, after the cessation of activities of that of the radio station of the United Nations Operation in Côte d’Ivoire (ONUCI-FM). To this end, this new radio station continues to operate according to the principles of impartiality, inclusivity and independence in order to promote a culture of peace, human rights, gender and social cohesion.
Attendance at this seminar by Mr. Lacina KONÉ, Special Adviser to the Prime Minister in charge of the digital economy and administrative reform, Mrs. Kadidia LEDRON, former spokesperson of UNOCI, Mr. Jean Claude BAYALA, could be noted. Adviser at the Ministry of Communication, Digital Economy and Post, Mr. Dalla DIABAGATÉ, Technical Director of Ivorian Broadcasting (RTI), Ivorian experts in the media and Peace Radio agents.
During the opening ceremony, Mr. Abdoulaye SANGARÉ, Deputy Director of the Peace Radio, spoke on behalf of the Secretary General of the FHB Foundation, Pr. Jean-Noël LOUCOU to greet the personalities present and all the participants in this seminar, emphasizing the interest of this meeting, which is the revitalization of the “Frequency of Peace” in the face of current and future challenges. Following him, Mr. Lacina KONÉ spoke about the conditions of creation of the radio in which he participated actively. For him, the Ivorian government has made the transfer of this radio to the FHB Foundation, a priority given the quality of its facilities and content and the professionalism of the staff that prevail. Finally, he said it was important to implement a vision in the short, medium and long term.
An inaugural conference was held and was led by Mrs. LEDRON, Mr. KONÉ and Mr. SANGARÉ. In her presentation on “From Onuci-FM to Peace Radio”, Mrs. LEDRON traced all the significant stages of the UN radio in Côte d’Ivoire until her effective transfer to the FHB Foundation. Then, she showed the challenges that this transfer has been able to meet on several scales, such as the lack of guidelines on the subject at UN level, the progressive reduction of UNOCI staff and the continuous dissemination of programs. For her, this transfer was a success and remains a model to be modeled as part of the end of the mandate of other UN missions. Mr. KONE spoke of his experience as technical manager of this transfer on behalf of the government side. Also, he highlighted the technical constraints that have been solved. For his part, Mr. SANGARÉ took the floor for the state of affairs of the radio, as the signature of partnership with national and international institutions. Finally, he congratulated all the staff, while exhorting him to maintain the confidence that the auditors have given them to date and to redouble their efforts in the work.
Five committees were responsible for reviewing and proposing strategies. They have worked hard to bring out a set of relevant proposals that will serve as development guidelines for the Peace Radio and will, we dare to believe, reposition it at national or even international level.
At the end of these two days of reflection, Mr. Karounga KEÏTA, in the name of the Minister of Communication, Digital Economy and Post, closed the seminar.