15 January 2021: Hazrat Khalifatul Masih Vaa during his Friday Sermon today announced the launch of a new 24-hour TV station: MTA Ghana.
Hazrat Khalifatul Masih Vaa said:
“The Wahab Adam Studio in Ghana was completed in 2017 and named in honour of the late Amir and Missionary In-charge, Abdul Wahab Adam Sahib. The studio produces over 60 percent of the current programmes for MTA Africa channels. The studio has 17 fulltime staff members and over 60 volunteers who are trained in the various departments.
“The Wahab Adam Studios is one of the most advanced studios in Ghana and has some of the best facilities. Various media organisations and broadcasters send their staff to the studio for training purposes and work experience. The studio has produced many LIVE programmes including the 1st African Quran Competition, Ramadhan programmes and many others.
“A new channel is now being launched under the name of MTA GHANA. MTA Ghana will be a new 24-hour national tv channel broadcasting on the digital platform in Ghana.
“MTA Ghana will be available to view without the need of a satellite dish and can be accessed through a normal aerial. This means that Ghanians can easily access the channel through a normal antenna too.
“The channel will be on the same location as the other major channels in Ghana and will be accessible to millions of homes within the country and will cover all the regions, from south to north.
“Programmes will be produced from the Wahab Adam studios in various languages of Ghana including English, Twi, Ga, Hausa and others. The transmission and scheduling of the channel will be run locally from the Wahab Adam studios through Lajna volunteers and other teams.
“Programmes will be produced to provide moral and educational education. From this channel people will be informed about the true and beautiful teachings of Islam, insha-Allah.”
Hazrat Amirul Momineenaa announced that MTA Ghana will be the only dedicated Islamic channel on the digital platform in Ghana.
Huzooraa said, “Our opponents try to block our avenues but then Allah the Almighty opens other avenues for us – this is Allah the Almighty’s grace on the Jamaat.”
Huzooraa noted that Insha-Allah those blocked paths will also clear when the time comes but Allah the Almighty also brings good news for the Jamaat.
Blessed guidance from Hazrat Khalifatul Masihaa and background to MTA Ghana
We spoke with Syed Umar Safir Sahib, Director MTA Africa who gave insight into how MTA Ghana came about and the invaluable guidance and direction of Hazrat Khalifatul Masih Vaa for the channel.
“Ghana is a predominately Christian country, however there is religious harmony in the country. The Ahmadiyya community is highly respected for its services to the nation through its schools and hospitals. For a number of years MTA International started introducing media services in the country by providing training to the national TV channels in Ghana. The national tv channel in return provided us with a weekly slot for the Ahmadiyya Jamaat.
“Through these programmes we received hundreds of messages from the public expressing their interest about the Jamaat and that the true teachings of Islam have now been understood by them. As a result it was felt that rather than acquiring slots on the national TV channels, we should look for an opportunity to have a dedicated channel in the country.
“This was approved by Huzooraa a few years ago and efforts were made to try and find a slot through one of the digital providers.
“By the grace of Allah an opportunity arose through one of the national digital companies and Hazrat Amirul Momineenaa instructed that we go ahead with the necessary planning to sign an agreement with the company.
“The company had no slots available initially, however by the grace of Allah when they saw the setup of our operations and professionalism of MTA they immediately made provisions for us to go on air. This was a great blessing as usually the process takes a few months, however in a week or so the agreement was finalised, and we started our test transmissions.
“Around 70 percent of the programmes will consist of Tabligh and Tarbiyyat programmes and local languages and topics will be covered.
“During this time Huzooraa had given extensive guidance on how the programmes should be covered and what type of message would be relevant for the Ghanaian people. Having lived in Ghana, Huzoor’saa understanding and in-depth knowledge of the culture and needs helped us shape our overall plan.”