A new television channel will soon make its debut in the growing number of digital television channels in the country.
The Guidance Television, having received authorisation to operate, has its studios and offices at Adenta Housing Down, Accra, the efforts of an Islamic non-governmental organisation, Al Huda Islamic Society.
As one of the leading Islamic NGOs in the country, the leadership last Saturday feted various strands of society such as Muslim chiefs, media and others.
It was a dual engagement to sensitise the Islamic community about the readiness of the television to start operation and to commemorate the end of the Ramadan fasting.
One of the directors of the channel said it is intended to present Islam in its appropriate light and to propagate the religion among the other traditional roles of standard television stations.
Invited guests were taken on a facility trip at the station which has made its maiden test-run already.
The welcome address of Dr Basir Adam, a director of the channel and Al Huda, summed up the objective of the Al Huda Islamic Society, which, according to him, seeks to contribute towards national development focusing on community-oriented initiatives and programmes within the country
The society is seriously engaged in the provision of potable water to deprived parts of the country, he said, adding that so far, over 600 boreholes have been sunk in the 10 regions of the country.
Al Huda has completed many schools in communities which lack such facilities and handed over same to the people in the beneficiary areas to manage.
The society has put up a number of classroom blocks at Bafikrom, Ojobi Gomoa Odumase, among others.
The director announced the acquisition of a 150-acre of land for a proposed Islamic University of West Africa, the sod for the commencement of work on which project he said has been cut.
In his keynote address themed: ‘Media In Ghana: The Expected Role of Guidance Television’, a retired diplomat, Sheikh Osman B. Bari, said the media plays an outstanding role in creating and shaping out public opinions and strengthening the capacities of individuals in society.
The media, he continued, “nevertheless could be described as the sword arm of our modern democracy. It acts as a watchdog to streamline and safeguard public interest against societal malpractices and public awareness.”
He lamented the tendency of political opportunists who use their expertise to make life unbearable for the ordinary man by siphoning public funds. “Taxpayers’ money is siphoned out for personal gains by highly placed and influential dignitaries while the common man becomes a mere spectator,” he mentioned, adding that it is the media’s role which can bring to light and reverse the situation.
Speaking at the function, the Chief News Editor of DAILY GUIDE, A.R. Gomda, charged Muslims in the media to proffer whatever support they can towards making the Guidance TV project a success.