Accra, November 9, 2009 - e.tv Ghana, latest television channel in the country has signed on Mr. Som Banerjee as the new station manager. Mr. Som Banerjee, an Indian television guru will continue from where Ms. Ria Bonthuys left off and make sure the new channel is well entrenched on its course of becoming the leader and pacesetters in quality television.

Ria Bonthuys, as a broadcast consultant was among the pioneers to set up the newest television channel. She was in charge of the day-to-day technical administration and programming of the station. The ever-lively Ria was not only a boss but a very good leader and team player who inspired a lot of determination and zest in the youthful dynamic staff of e.tv Ghana. Some of the pioneering staff have been with the channel well over 12 months before their recent media launch.

Ms. Gifty Aduamah, long form producer and one of the pioneers says, “Thanks to Ria, we have come this far. I remember how my colleagues and I looked on hopelessly, wondering if the television would ever come to be. It took Ria’s encouragement and determination, and before long, we were all infected with her excitement. Now we have e.tv Ghana which barely after a media launch has started making wild waves all across the capital. We will miss her so much”.

Mr. Som Banerjee takes over from Ria who has to go and see to the establishment of another television channel in Southern Africa. Som comes on board with another dimension to continue the solid foundation laid by Ria Bonthuys. He comes with an enviable portfolio, spanning genres as varied as reality, fiction, game shows, entertainment, lifestyle, music videos, radio programming, television commercials, audio visuals, corporate films and documentaries. As a multi branded and multi genre professional in the media industry with close to a decade of work experience, Banerjee’s expertise covers a vast genre in the broadcasting industry spanning across segments such as creative, technology and administration/operations.

Ria Bonthuys says, “I am very happy and sad, reminiscing how far we have come as a young team fills me with immeasurable joy and pride. At the same time I am saddened because Ghana has become my second home and the dynamic e.tv Ghana team made me feel so much at home I’m tempted to overrule the thought that there’s somewhere else as sweet and peaceful a home as Ghana”

She continues, “I am however hopeful that e.tv Ghana will certainly become the benchmark in television when it comes to quality because I am handing the baton to an equally capable personality, Mr. Som Banerjee. I wish you well and I am very grateful for the wonderful times we shared. You will forever remain a significant part of me wherever I go.”

Mr. Akwasi Agyeman, MD, of e.tv Ghana on behalf of the entire Global Media Alliance and e.tv team thanked MS. Ria Bonthuys for her dedication and hard work that has seen the station this far. “We don’t know if we would ever have a true replacement for Ria, but as circumstances sometimes demand or as the saying goes, duty calls; we must allow her to bless others also with her rich experience. Thank you so much and we will miss you dearly” Agyeman summed. Mr. Banerjee, after barely a few weeks’ experience of the proverbial Ghanaian hospitality says he feels so much at home already and looks forward to working with a great team. He says, “I have so much confidence in the dynamic staff and management of e.tv Ghana and I know that together as a team, we shall surmount all our challenges. The challenges we face here are not any different from what we have in India”

Banerjee continues, I thank Ria for laying such a strong foundation; I believe she has solved more than half our challenges and with her blessings, we can only hope for a smoother sail from where she left off.

Mr. Banerjee also expressed profound gratitude to the board and management of e.tv and Global Media Alliance for trusting him with this captainship. “Everybody is somebody in my team and we are determined to establishing e.tv Ghana as the leader in quality television” he summed.

--Ends--