What Inspires Us to Work: A Case of Motivation for Employees of Commercial FM Radio Stations in Tamale, Ghana

The FM radio is one form of mass media channel. Commercial radio broadcast took effect in 1995 only after the Ghana Frequency Registration and Control Board had granted authorisation to ten commercial radio services in Accra, Kumasi and Secondi-Takoradi. Employees of these radio stations have been challenged in their work by a number of factors including motivation. The focus of this study was to ascertain what motivates these employees and how accessible are these motivating factors to them. A descriptive research design was used. A purposeful sampling technique was adopted to collect data using structured questionnaire, from management staff and employees. With responses from ninety participants, the study found that eighteen commercial radio stations were operational in the study area. It also found that employees were motivated by conducive work environment, regular payment of salary, appreciation of efforts and prestige attached to work, exposure to outside world, promotion, and service to humanity. It concluded with inference from the findings that, owners of commercial radio stations only got the best of their employees when these factors were ignited. The study recommended that management should develop reliable pay system to ensure prompt payment of salaries, clearly define institutional establishment, improve wages and salaries, recognise and reward hard work, provide in-service training for employees and employees should compromise for a win-win situation with management.