Benin (MNN) — God is allowing a missionary broadcasting organization to proclaim the Gospel into spiritually needy Benin, West Africa. International Christian broadcaster Trans World Radio (TWR) has received the official broadcast license for a powerful 100,000-watt AM transmitter. Government officials in Cotonou, Benin, granted TWR the license at a special ceremony on July 4.
The new facility, which is still under construction, is scheduled to begin broadcasting in April 2007. It will become TWR’s 15th major international transmitting location. Once the site is completed, TWR’s programs will provide sound biblical teaching and discipleship training. Additionally, plans call for broadcasts for children, nonreaders and those affected by HIV/AIDS.
Most of the West African nations have numerous unreached people groups without an established indigenous evangelical church. Radio, then, is one of the most effective and cost-efficient ways to share Christ’s love with this vast region.
In late 2002, TWR began discussions about the possibility of a new transmitting site in Benin. In June 2003, then President Kerikou, a Christian, began the process which today has resulted in a license to broadcast from near Parakou, Benin.
Reverend Abdoulaye Sangho, TWR-West Africa director, shares that “partnerships are being formed with several individuals, churches, missions and organizations that have been waiting and praying for this opportunity to come and air the Word of God through radio.” A group of African writers are already hard at work on scripts and translation, preparing programs for the new station. FM stations can be heard in several large cities of West Africa , but often the signal fades just outside suburban areas. The new AM outlet will fill the gap.
“I want to express my personal appreciation to all of you who have been praying for this project in Benin,” says Stephen Boakye-Yiadom, TWR international director for Africa. Please pray for the installation of an AM antenna, completion of the building and shipping and installation of the transmitters.
