INTRODUCTION
This five year Strategic Plan is a result of the major prioritizing joint venture with a common objective. Radio Voice of the Gospel (RVOG) is an institution or centre of media communication available in Tanzania since the early 1960's. Like other media communication, RVOG is also subjected to change due to technological, socio-economic, political, cultural and religious changes.
RVOG was established and built in l963. The main objectives of RVOG were the proclamation of Christ in his world. The Radio enjoyed its broadcasting signal all over East and Central Africa, Middle East and the Far East in 1960' and l970's. The broadcasting was then made possible because the recorded programmes produced (prepared) here in Lutheran Radio Centre Moshi were shipped to RVOG in Addis Ababa Ethiopia for re-transmission to various areas as mentioned above.
Notwithstanding all such achievements, it did not last long. This was because the Marxist Ethiopian Government of Mengistu Haile Mariam nationalized RVOG in 1977. Therefore, Lutheran Radio Centre Moshi suffered a huge set back until it shifted to FEBA Radio in the Seychelles in 1978. It later obtained a franchise at Trans World Radio (TWR) in Manzini Swaziland in 1979.
RVOG has since then been broadcasting programmes of one hour and fifteen minutes. The airing of this programme is very expensive. In fact RVOG had to pay over Tshs. 75,000,000/= (seventy five million Tanzanian Shilling) to TWR annually.
Since 1994, RVOG did improve her broadcasting by launching her FM stereo transmitter. Yet the radio cannot meet the great demand in the Communication media market of the area. Currently, there are FM transmitters located mostly in the Northern Zone of Tanzania that include Manyara, Arusha, Meru, Kilimanjaro and Tanga Regions. That is, the coverage is only reaching a population of five million out of a desired number of over 100 million in East Africa.
Moreover, the present facilities are not satisfactory in meeting the needs. The buildings of RVOG Moshi were built in 1963/64. Being old buildings, they need renovation as well as re-modelling in order to accommodate modern facilities. Many of the studio and radio equipment and other related facilities are worn out needing modernisation, repairs and rehabilitations.
THE DEVELOPMENT OF RADIO VOICE OF THE GOSPEL:
We all thank God that the government of Tanzania has permitted private/non-governmental and individual radios including the Church to broadcast at local regional, as well as national levels. This is an opportunity as well as a challenge to the Church. Taking such chances, the Church (ELCT) will certainly face financial obligations, constraints as well as shortages of professional and skilled personnel.
To meet the needs of modernizing RVOG as well as expanding its existing facilities and infrastructure, the present facilities must be modernized. Some of the existing buildings must be renovated, while others have to be remodelled and new infrastructures must be added to suit the current needs.
It is realized that the magnitude of the work and costs involved in improving and modernizing RVOG, it is recommended that:
ˇ RVOG go into ventures with other Churches all over Africa in using satellite channels
ˇ More booster stations for FM stereo should be built in all zonal areas in Tanzania to increase the coverage of RVOG
The present generations are curious, they listen, watch and want to try or practice everything regardless of the impact that might happen to them. We hope the establishment of a Christian TV accompanied by an internet café will help to address some of their curiosity in a positive way. It will help to address their moral and spiritual issues. The television will be able to reach as many people as possible and of all generations and backgrounds.