Before Smartphones Took Over, Ghanaian Families Gathered Around the Radio – A Tradition Worth Remembering

There was a time when a radio set was one of the most important items in many Ghanaian homes.

It could be found on a table in the living room, in the kitchen, on a veranda or somewhere in the compound where everyone could hear what was being broadcast.

In the morning, the radio provided news and information. During the day, it entertained people with music, discussions and interesting programmes. In the evening, families and neighbours could gather around it to listen to their favourite presenters, follow stories and discuss what they had heard.

For many Ghanaians, radio was not simply a device used to pass the time. It was a companion, a source of information and, in some households, the centre of family entertainment.

Today, the way people consume audio and entertainment has changed considerably. Smartphones, podcasts, online music platforms and television have given audiences more control over what they listen to.

Radio remains an important part of Ghanaian life, but the experience of gathering around one radio set as a household is becoming less common.

And for those who grew up during that period, the memories are difficult to forget.

Before smartphones became common, one radio set could serve an entire family.

Parents listened to news and current affairs programmes, while children enjoyed music, entertainment and educational broadcasts.

In some homes, the radio was switched on almost immediately after people woke up. The morning began with news bulletins, discussions about national issues and updates on what was happening around the country.

As the day progressed, different programmes attracted different audiences.

Some people preferred political discussions, others enjoyed sports commentary, while music lovers waited for programmes that played their favourite Ghanaian songs.

The radio was often left playing in the background even when nobody was paying particular attention.

It created a familiar atmosphere in the home, and the sound of a presenter speaking or a popular song playing became part of everyday life.

One of the special things about radio in the past was that listening was often a shared experience.

Unlike today, when everyone can use a personal device and choose different content, one radio set meant that household members sometimes had to agree on what to listen to.

There were occasions when parents wanted the news, while younger family members preferred music.

Sometimes, the adults won the argument, and the children had no choice but to wait until the programme ended.

Other times, a popular entertainment show brought everyone together.

A presenter could introduce a song that made people stop what they were doing. A discussion could generate arguments around the dining table, while an interesting announcement might become the main topic of conversation for the rest of the day.

Radio created shared moments because people were listening to the same things at the same time.

Even after a programme ended, its content could continue to influence discussions within the household.

For music lovers, listening to the radio was sometimes more than waiting for a favourite song.

Some people used cassette recorders to record songs directly from radio broadcasts.

When a presenter announced a song they liked, they could quickly prepare their cassette player and wait for the music to begin.

The challenge was getting the recording right.

Some recordings included the presenter’s voice at the beginning or end because the listener had not pressed the record button at the right time. Others were interrupted by advertisements or announcements.

Yet these recordings were treasured.

People could replay their favourite songs whenever they wanted, even when they did not own the original cassette or album.

Some also created personal mixtapes by recording different songs from the radio and arranging them in a particular order.

It was a simple but exciting way of building a personal music collection before digital downloads and streaming services became widespread.

Another reason radio was special was the relationship listeners developed with presenters.

People became familiar with certain voices and styles of presentation. Some presenters were known for their humour, others for their serious approach to news, and some for the way they introduced songs or engaged callers.

For regular listeners, hearing a favourite presenter could feel like reconnecting with someone they knew.

Some people even organised their daily routines around particular programmes.

They knew when their favourite show started, which presenter was on air and what type of discussions to expect.

Radio personalities also influenced public conversations. Their interviews, commentary and discussions introduced issues that listeners continued debating at home, in offices, at markets and in social gatherings.

In many ways, radio presenters became important voices in the daily lives of their audiences.

Radio also played an educational role in many Ghanaian households.

Children could learn new words, improve their language skills and gain knowledge about issues outside their immediate surroundings.

Educational programmes, discussions and storytelling broadcasts introduced listeners to subjects they might not encounter in their classrooms.

Some broadcasts helped children become familiar with current affairs, history, science and social issues.

Listening to presenters also exposed young people to different ways of speaking and communicating.

For children growing up in homes where local languages were spoken, radio programmes in Akan, Ewe, Ga, Dagbani and other Ghanaian languages provided opportunities to hear those languages used in different contexts.

Radio therefore served as an informal learning resource, especially in households where access to books, computers and other educational materials was limited.

Radio brought people closer to national events

There were moments when radio became particularly important because it connected people to events happening across Ghana and beyond.

During major political developments, election periods, sporting competitions and national emergencies, people turned to radio for updates.

For households without television, radio was sometimes the main source of information.

Football commentary was especially memorable for many listeners. People could follow matches through the voices of commentators, reacting to goals, missed chances and controversial decisions.

Some listeners gathered around radios in drinking spots, homes and community centres to follow important matches.

Even without seeing the action, the excitement in the commentator’s voice helped listeners imagine what was happening on the field.

Radio also gave people access to interviews and public discussions that allowed them to hear different perspectives on national issues.

What has changed in the way Ghanaians listen?

The biggest difference today is personal choice.

A person can listen to music through a phone, follow a podcast, watch an interview on YouTube or stream a radio programme online.

There is no longer a need for an entire household to depend on one radio set.

Many radio stations have also expanded their presence through websites, social media pages and digital streaming platforms.

Listeners can access programmes while travelling, working or staying at home.

These developments have helped radio reach new audiences and remain relevant in a changing media environment.

However, they have also made listening a more individual activity.

Family members can now sit in the same room while each person listens to something different through earphones.

The shared experience of listening to one programme and discussing it afterwards is not as common in some households.

Has the radio lost its place in Ghanaian homes?

Not entirely.

Radio continues to play a significant role in Ghana, particularly through news, political discussions, sports, entertainment, religious programmes and public education.

Many people still listen while driving, working, cooking or carrying out other daily activities.

For some communities, local radio remains an important source of information, especially where internet access is limited or expensive.

Radio stations also continue to provide platforms for public participation, allowing listeners to call in, share concerns and contribute to discussions.

The difference is that the way people access radio has changed.

Some listen through traditional radio sets, while others use mobile phones, computers and online platforms.

The old radio culture may be changing, but the medium itself has not disappeared.

What the younger generation may never experience

Children growing up today may find it difficult to understand why an entire household once waited for a particular radio programme.

They may not appreciate the excitement of hearing a favourite song unexpectedly, recording it onto a cassette or waiting for a presenter to announce the next track.

They may also never experience the feeling of sitting with family members and listening to a major announcement together.

These experiences were part of a particular period in Ghana’s social and media history.

They remind us that entertainment was not always about personal screens and individual choices. Sometimes, enjoyment came from sharing the same experience with the people around us.

A tradition that deserves to be remembered

The rise of smartphones and digital platforms has brought many benefits. People can now access information faster, discover new music and listen to their favourite programmes from almost anywhere.

There is no reason to reject these developments.

However, there is still something special about the old experience of gathering around a radio, listening together and discussing what was being broadcast.

Families can still recreate some of these moments by listening to a radio programme together, sharing interesting podcasts or discussing news and interviews.

The technology may have changed, but the value of shared experiences remains.

For those who grew up with one radio set in the house, the memories are a reminder of a time when a single device could entertain an entire family.

Sometimes, the most beautiful memories are not about the technology itself, but about the people who gathered around it.

Do you remember when one radio set entertained the whole household, and what was your favourite programme to listen to?