Music Production and Preservation at Ghana Broadcasting Corporation

Abstract

It is an acknowledged fact that colonial experience left its mark not only in the political, religious and economic life, but also in education and entertainment through the media in Ghana and for that matter Africa. One of the positive outcomes of the colonial encounter, especially in Ghana, is indicated in the establishment of radio and, later, television broadcasting. Music which has been a great tool and vehicle of communication helped in achieving this success. Music production and preservation in broadcasting have been very vital in the development of Ghanaian music industry. Through music broadcast, many segments of the Ghanaian population had the opportunity of sharing their gifts of wisdom and creativity with all, across borders, tribes and races. This study traces the historical development and establishment of broadcasting focusing on the Ghana Broadcasting Corporation (GBC). Further, the study examines how GBC, as a media organisation, has produced, preserved used and re-used music in building programmes for broadcast since its establishment in 1935. It also discusses music censorship and copyright at GBC as well as the technologies that were used in producing and preserving music for the radio department at GBC.