Gambia to Go Satellite in Two Months

Confirmed reports reaching this paper have it that the installation process of a satellite disc that would transmit events from the Gambia is far advanced. The execution of the infrastructural and installation part of the project, according to reports from State owned GRTS television, will last two months as the infrastructural engineers are currently working on the base of the satellite disc that will bring signals to a worldwide audience. The project which is a brainchild of President Jammeh, the report added, is expected to put both GRTS radio and TV on satellite.

Expressing his thoughts about the development, Mr Modou Sanyang, Director General of the Gambia Radio and Television Services (GRTS) said the project is a milestone in the communications history of The Gambia. "Today I am the happiest man but first of all I have to thank His Excellency the President of the Republic for giving us such a wonderful project. The reason why I am saying a wonderful project is that some satellites do beam certain specific areas, but for this one, coverage will be world-wide.

"This will help us as GRTS staff to show whatever is happening in this country in terms of development, peace and stability," he said.

Alagie Cham, Permanent Secretary, Department of State for Communication, Information and Information Technology said the project will lead to improvement in service delivery and viewer satisfaction. "We will improve on it because it will enable GRTS transmit signals worldwide like what is currently been viewed in The Gambia," he said.

The successful completion of the project, according to the GRTS report, will see The Gambia's entry into satellite broadcasting, which will no doubt sell the country.