The Ghanaian Minaret

Accra – Metro TV, an Accra-based private television channel has taken off two Ramadan programmes from its channel due to the lack of sponsorship.

The programmes; Ramadan series which aired in the evenings before sunset and Al fijr, a dawn programme have over the years been the most popular Islamic live telecast programmes during the month of Ramadan.

The host of the programme, Imam Abass Abdul Karim who is also the deputy Imam of the Ghana Police Mosque in Cantonment took to his social media handle to express his dissatisfaction at the failure of the Muslim community to raise funds in support of the programmes.

He wrote; “Exactly a year ago today I put the message below on my wall: “*Ramadan Series and Al-fijr 2018 on Metro Tv* will cost GH¢14,000 per day. The entire month of Ramadan will cost _*GH¢420,000*_ (Thus GH¢14,000 × 30 days).
However, a discount of 10 days (valued at GH¢140,000) has been offered. Cost after discount is *GH¢280,000* (GH¢14,000 × 20 days).
Over to you Ghanaian Muslims.
For Sponsorship or support contact Imam Abass Abdul-Karim on 0266314422 or Seth Ibrahim Ayi on 0244608177.”
I had good, bad and ugly responses. It’s day 9 of 2019 Ramadan but we are not on air. Allah knows best.”

Writings were clearly on the wall when the TV station was acquired in 2017 by Jospong group of companies from the Fattal brothers who were Muslims.

The acquisition placed the organisation under a new management that revised its policies and directions.

It would be recalled that another Islamic programme; Iqra, which aired every Friday on TV3, a private TV channel, was also taken off air apparently for lack of sponsorship.