(June 17, 2011 - by Harold Goerzen) In partnership with HCJB Global, Theovision International officially launched Radio Gaakii in the remote Ghanaian city of Saboba on Saturday, May 28, making gospel broadcasts available in a predominantly Muslim area of northeastern Ghana near the border with Togo.

"On the eve of the launch the whole town was like one big radio station," stated Theovision's website. "Radio sets in houses along the streets were tuned in full blast while all public places, including guesthouses, had mounted loudspeakers in their compounds for people to listen to the ongoing programs. The youth who were out on the streets were not left out. As they moved about, they listened to the station on their mobile phones. Several people called in from more than [60 miles] away to contribute to the programs."

The launch was attended by high-ranking politicians, clergymen, government officials and clan heads along with ordinary Konkomba farmers. The 24-hour-a-day station airs programs in four languages: Konkomba, Baasare, Twi and Hausa. Gaakii is the Konkomba word for faith.

"The premises of the radio station were filled to capacity as the entire Saboba community and its environs trooped there to be part of the program," the website states. "Those who arrived late had to stand under trees for hours as all the chairs were occupied. The program was interspersed with traditional dances and speeches from some of the dignitaries."

Broadcasting at 88.3 MHz, the community FM station is within hearing range of an estimated 800,000 residents. In addition to Saboba, a city of 120,000, the broadcasts cover the surrounding areas and "some parts of Togo," said Joseph Kebbie, HCJB Global's training coordinator for the Sub-Saharan Africa Region.

Kebbie, originally from Liberia, helped train the staff during the installation of the Saboba outlet. HCJB Global funded the purchase of radio equipment for Radio Gaakii and assisted with the technical installation.

Radio Gaakii is the third FM radio station to be planted by Theovision in the last 1½ years along with an online radio station based in Accra. Test transmissions in Saboba began on Dec. 20, 2010.

Stephen Asare, son of Rev. Theo Asare who founded Theovision in 1989, said the station will open opportunities to share the gospel message among all people groups in the area, regardless of their religion.

Stephen, a Moody Bible Institute graduate who serves as media training and radio network manager for Theovision, said initial reaction to the broadcasts has been positive with many listeners offering comments.

Joel, a retired nurse, said, "We will use the radio station to educate our people on teenage pregnancy, attending school, farming and common diseases like malaria. I don't know how to thank God for this gift to our community."

Abuya, an educator, added that the station is "very educational. The messages that come from here are geared toward the development of the area."

A student in a local junior high school said, "My father is crazy about Radio Gaakii-so much that he carries his radio set everywhere, even to the farm!"

HCJB Global President Wayne Pederson said "community FM radio is extremely popular in Africa. It's the main means of information and entertainment for Africans. We're privileged to plant yet another community radio station in Ghana that will provide information about health, family, current events and, more importantly, the good news of Jesus. Music, teaching and interviews will share the gospel with those who tune in to their community station."

Curt Cole, one of HCJB Global's vice presidents of international ministries, added that the mission's "partnership continues to deepen with Theovision, and this recent dedication in Saboba is a great example of how our Africa Voice and Hands initiative moves and works in the Sub-Saharan countries of Africa. There are plans for a clean water well at the station in the near future as well, clearly demonstrating the weaving of media and healthcare together to change lives."

Kebbie agreed, saying that partnerships are a key strategy in reaching the continent for Christ. "Working with like-minded ministries such as Theovision is very important in accomplishing what God wants us to do in Africa," he explained. "Thousands, if not millions, can hear the gospel message of Christ in their local dialects or languages across the African continent via the community radio stations that we help plant."

Sources: HCJB Global, www.theovision.org