Ghanaians are increasingly asking for shows in the media that educate and inform the people about topics that will improve democracy and the standard of living instead of just pure partisan politics and its destructive results. This view was expressed by many who sent messages on ‘Ghana Great & Strong’ a public interest programme broadcast on increasingly popular ATV (Amansan Television) this past Saturday.
After a discussion on the announcement of 1st September 2015 as the new date for the District Assembly elections, many viewers including Nana Sobin from Atebubu were grateful to ATV for spreading the news. He asked when nominations would be open for those wanting to contest the election since the Electoral Commission’s announcement was not clear to him on that point. The host of the show, Dr. Papa Kwesi Nduom was able to inform viewers and listeners that nominations will be accepted on Thursday 2nd July and Friday 3rd for Assembly Members and Saturday 4th July and Sunday 5th July for Unit Committee Members. Others used the show to declare their wish for DCEs to be elected by the people instead of being nominated by the President as is done today.
On the substantive topic for discussion, “Are we in the 21st Century yet in Ghana?”, viewers were unanimous that this was a topic worth bringing to the attention of all Ghanaians. One viewer wrote; “This discussion is quite important for our generation”. Emmanuel Awine from Bongo was of the view that there should be a national strategy discussion on the topic.
Joe Erskine who sent a message from Lagos, Nigeria wrote that, “I pray for Ghana to get a supply of grace for all our leaders to know what to do for our nation so that we can experience growth and development.” Also, a student from Accra Polytechnic wrote that “I think these topics should be thoroughly discussed in our tertiary campuses.”
The panelists on the show discussed Ghanaians’ preference to seek “powers” from their river stone and other gods when in other countries science and technology is improving lives. An example cited is the The Shanghai Maglev Train built in 2004 which remains the fastest train in that country with peak speeds of 431 km/h (268 mph). The train makes the 30.5 km (19.0 mi) trip from the Pudong Airport to the city in less than 7.5 minutes.

Signed: Henrietta Adom
Channel Manager
Amansan Television
0501328611