Zongo Heavyweights Present During Launch Of New Radio Station Iqra Radio

A new Hausa-speaking radio station, Iqra Radio has been launched in Accra in a ceremony on Sunday.

The colourful and well attended ceremony was graced by heavyweights in the Zongo Community including the National Chief Imam, Sheikh Osman Nuhu Sharubutu, National Imam of Ahlusunnah Sheikh Umar Ibrahim, National Imam of Shia, Sheikh Kamal Deen and a host of other Imams from various Zongo communities.

Also present were President and members of the National Council of Zongo Chiefs as well as Chiefs from various Zongo communities and tribal Chiefs from Accra.

Transmitting on 103.7 FM, Iqra Radio seeks to serve Zongo communities in the Greater Accra Region and beyond and its main focus, as revealed by the station, is towards serving these communities globally.

Key programmes of the new radio station are Islamic lectures by various globally acclaimed Hausa-speaking Islamic scholars designed to educate and uplift the people of the Zongos.

There will also be programmes designed to address issues pertaining to women as well as educative shows for children.

Talks are also underway to sign partnership agreements with several international media houses broadcasting in Hausa.

There will also be news, business, Sports, current affairs and entertainment.

The station gave a firm assurance of its unwavering commitment to serving the Zongo communities well by upholding the tenets of journalism and Islamic ethics on communication.

The name of the station Iqra meaning “read” is derived from the first verse or first revelation of the Holy Qur'an to the Prophet Muhammad (S. A. W.).

Delivering a sermon at the launch, Sheikh Osman Nuhu Sharubutu expressed delight at the establishment of the station, saying it will contribute significantly to the advancement of information.

He also underlined the significance of education and information and urged every person to take education and their pursuit of information seriously.

Various speakers including leading Imams and Chiefs all expressed their delight and satisfaction at the launch of the station, revealing they have already become accustomed to the station having been glued to it during its test transmission.

Iqra Radio has been test transmitting for nearly three months, delivering melodious recitation of the Holy Qur'an by famous reciters as well as potent sermons on various topics of interest.The station will broadcast mainly in the Hausa language but it will also have special sessions for some dominant languages in the Zongos and special programmes in Arabic and English to cater for the members of the Ghanaian Muslim community who are expatriates.

The slogan of the station is Zaabin al Ummah, a Hausa phrase which means the choice of theIqra Radio will officially commence on-air programme on Tuesday with a morning show which will be hosted by experienced broadcaster Shamun Baako.

Baako, the RFI correspondent in Ghana, has been the host of several flagship programmes in the Hausa broadcasting landscape over the years.

He is among other experienced Hausa-speaking broadcasters penciled to host for Iqra FM.