Residents urge GBC to improve television reception

Nkwanta, June 6, GNA - Soccer enthusiasts in Nkwanta and Kpassa areas of the Volta Region have appealed to the Ghana Broadcasting Corporation (GBC) to improve on its television reception to enable them enjoy the upcoming soccer fiesta at the FIFA 2010 World Cup in South Africa. They urged on the management of GBC to stand by its slogan of "Station of the Nation" by ensuring that the people benefit from their services and not to deny them from enjoying their passion.

The supporters complained about a catalogue of truncated and frozen streams, which they said characterises television viewing in the areas especially during two of Black Stars friendly encounters with the Netherlands and Latvia on Tuesday and Sunday respectively.

The soccer fans who spoke to the GNA Sports said the 75 years of existence as a public broadcaster and acclaimed "station with a nationwide coverage" should translate into quality television reception. They said bad, unclear and inferior streams which characterized the trial matches compelled most residents to seek refuge at video centres, which received the feeds via satellite dishes for a fee. Mr Mamoud Abdallah, a fan said if the feeds are not improved upon the residents who would throng the video centres would have to pay 32 Ghana Cedis for all the 64 matches during the tournament, describing it as a non-profit venture.

He therefore urged management and staff of GBC to prove its mettle and provide them with quality streams at least for the period of the tournament. Mr John Yeboah, a football enthusiast of Kpassa said Television reception was non-existent except for streams received through satellite dishes and called on the authorities to consider the plight of the people from the area.