General News of Monday, 19 May 1997

Source: --

GBC Hooked Onto WorldNet

Accra The Ghana Broadcasting Corporation is to receive and re-broadcast programmes of the United States Worldnet Television for a minimum of three years. Under the agreement, the United States Information Services (USIS) is to provide one television satellite dish and other instruments to enable Ghana Television (GTV) to re-broadcast a variety of programmes from U.S. television. Dr. Kofi Frimpong, Director-General, GBC, signed for his outfit, while Ms. Sharon Lavorel-Rutherford, Deputy chief, American Embassy, initialled for her country. Worldnet, described by the American side as the 'cousin' of the Voice of America, is an American television service provider. Ms Lavorel-Rutherford said the equipment will be installed next month for GTV to begin to receive signals by August or September. The range of programmes for re-broadcast will include general news, business, science and entertainment files for extensive periods daily. Mr. Bruce Lohof, Information Officer of the USIS, said the programmes may either be shown live or recorded. Dr. Frimpong welcomed the agreement, saying it is rare for Worldnet Television to deal with a public TV station like GTV. He thanked the USIS and hoped the opportunity would be of immense benefit to the nation through the provision of variety in GTV's programming.