The biggest and more rewarding prizes ever in a talent hunt in the Ghana are set to be given out to winners when the new TV reality show, “SOUL SEARCH” hits the screens. The launch of “SOUL SEARCH” took place last Tuesday at the International Press Centre.

The show to be screened on television is expected to hunt for a gospel gem who will take home mouth watering prizes and crown it with a potentially illustrious international gospel singing career. Global Media Alliance (GMA), initiators of the African Journalist of the Year Awards some thirteen years ago, is behind the project. Speaking at the launch, the producer of the show Sena Atoklo noted that the development of the individual is central in whatever initiative GMA undertakes.

SOUL SEARCH, said Sena, is a move to “unearth and develop the human persona to the Glory of our Lord Jesus Christ”. According to him, “Music and gospel music for that matter is the celebration of the Christian experience of salvation and hope, and we at GMA would want to be part of this celebration hence our desire to ensure that this project succeeds”.

Mr. Atoklo explained that SOUL SEARCH is a nationwide search for the unrecorded gospel singer who eventually would have a recording contract with one of the leading music labels in South Africa. The target is the youth aged between 18 and 30. The objective is to tap the youth’s enthusiasm to become great musical icons for the continent.

He explained that the Ghana has been divided into four zones of Southern, Middle, Northern and Western. The Southern Zone comprises the Greater Accra, the Eastern and the Volta Regions. The Middle Zone will have contestants from the Ashanti and Brong Ahafo regions competing for a place in the final rounds of the competition. The Northern Zone is made up of the Northern, Upper East and Upper West regions whilst the Western Zone is made up of the Central and Western regions. Twelve people will be selected after the auditions in these zones and they will be expected to compete for the coveted prize.

Participation is by texting to a short code 5060 provided by the lead sponsor, ONETOUCH. Speaking at the ceremony, the General Manager Marketing at ONETOUCH, Steve Kofi Badu said ONETOUCH was touched by the quest of GMA to help develop the gospel music industry as well as provide quality music entertainment for the general public and that was why the network decided to take up the role of lead sponsor.

The Musicians Union of Ghana, MUSIGA has pledged total support for the programme having come at the right time when the development of music, especially gospel music, has become a source of worry for the Union. The first prize is five thousand Ghana cedis, a trip to South Africa, a recording and management contract plus souvenirs from sponsors. Second prize is Two Thousand Ghana Cedis, recording and management contract and souvenirs from sponsors. The third prize is one thousand Ghana cedis plus souvenirs from sponsors.

The other major sponsor is SBC, producers of PEPSI and SEVEN UP soft drinks as well as AQUA SPLASH PURIFIED WATER. The Southern Zone will commence the auditioning process next weekend, May 13 2008.