By Isaac Ato MENSAH
Accra- 4 October, 2018.
Pre-Vas TV started test transmission yesterday 3 October, 2018.
Hurray…it is indeed an October to remember.
Now the real work begins; ask anyone who has been declared a winner on election night.
The television set is a very powerful medium of communication; ask any 40 year old American about Sesame Street.
So whilst we congratulate the directors and founders of Pre-Vas TV, we shall ask many questions for their reflection.
The owners have their religious and ethnic biases- which one will hold sway?
Will they be able to transcend both?
Will the financial motive be the overriding consideration that determines content?
On the occasion of the start of transmission, Sylvanus Amartey, the founder has summarised his vision as follows;
‘According to His promises we are looking forward to the new heaven and new Earth where righteousness is to dwell – 2 Peter 3: 13.’
Will Pre-Vas TV show Ghana a new heaven and a new Earth; a new and better way of looking at the world?
Or will it just mirror what is happening in our society and bid us to accept ‘the relentless purveyors of mediocrity’ as the only available newsmakers and ‘celebrities’ in town?
Of course, the occasion lends itself to intense lobbying from prospective employees, show hosts, panelists on current affairs programmes and all those who want to ‘push their agenda’- political or otherwise.
We want to remind the directors that they have given themselves a great task.
You have chosen the tagline, ‘Pre-Vas TV; Nothing But The Truth’.
Is the truth an ideal that is not practical- an abstract philosophical concept, or will the truth help Ghana solve its existential problems?
Of course in this age of social media, Pre-Vas TV, a free-to-air Digital Terrestrial Broadcasting channel, based at Teshie First Junction, Accra, will have an instant global reach and coverage.
What will it use its leverage for?
Pre-Vas TV has an opportunity to serve as a training school for high quality journalism.
It should not and must not yield to poor and shoddy journalism based on a presenter’s social media following or mass media appeal.
Some years ago, when a political party was struggling in opposition, some Makola Market women shouted at their campaign teams, ‘Monwrɔ coat no ooo monwrɔ coat no’. Transliterated from Twi, this means, ‘Stop wearing coats or suits on TV’.
They heard it. They analysed it.
And they realized that the spokespersons of their rivals in government wear some ‘Ghanaian’ clothing for TV shows making them appealing to the masses.
Did I hear someone from the Amen Corner just whisper, ‘Politics is about numbers’?
I have no response to that.
All I can say is that there is also a race to the bottom in clothing or attire for TV presenters and panelists.
Is the rational a populist frenzy to get a share of the market?
‘Underdevelopment has many facets’, my mentor’s lessons flash back to memory when required. It’s amazing how the mind works.
Well, if you’re lost, I’m talking about the costume and dressing for presentations on TV.
This cannot be ignored if Pre-Vas TV or any marketing executive or TV station is to be taken seriously.
Remember a man cannot go in Asiedu Nketia’s wife’s clothing to meet Angela Merkel.
And if it’s bad for politicians, why will anybody take this nation seriously when we appear on TV shows wearing wrong and shoddy clothing.
TV stations should not leave the personal grooming of their guests and presenters to any Kojo, Kweku or Kofi.
Otherwise the suits, make-up including the wigs we see on TV, shall continue to be dé·clas·sé and unsightly.
But really, have we not been wearing suits in Ghana for over 100 years?
So if the suit is not part of Ghanaian clothing, then when will the masses accept it as such?
Is Pre-Vas TV prepared to set the right agenda for a rational and progressive modernity in Ghana?
Do we wear our traditional clothing, the fugu or smock, the cloth and the batakari well when we appear on TV?
I love watching a certain Italian TV station – it’s all in Italian and I don’t understand Italian.
But the visuals are so inspirational and educative that I find myself absolutely glued to the channel.
Get to work Pre-Vas TV; dare to be different.
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