The graduating class of 2022 at the University of Media Arts and Communication (UNIMAC) has urged management to consider leveraging the unique opportunity presented by the Right to Information (RTI) Law to become a dedicated training center for information officers that the government will employ for public institutions.

In his valedictory speech, the valedictorian of the first congregation of UNIMAC, Vincent Amedzake, appealed to the management of UNIMAC to become a training center for information officers.

Amedzake mentioned that "We're also hoping that management will leverage the unique opportunity presented by implementing the Right to Information Law to become a dedicated training center for Information Officers that the government will employ for public institutions. We encourage deans of faculty and heads of departments to explore this possibility."

The Right to Information Law (RTI), passed in 2019, aims to promote transparency and accountability in governance. The law grants citizens the right to access information held by public institutions and requires these institutions to provide such information upon request.

The class believes that the university has the resources and expertise to train information officers to meet the growing demand for such professionals in public institutions. The UNIMAC can also establish partnerships with the government and other institutions to ensure that its graduates are well-placed in the job market.

"We believe that UNIMAC has the potential to become a training center for information officers, and we hope that our appeal to the management will be taken into consideration. This will not only benefit students but also contribute to promoting transparency and accountability in governance," Mr. Amedzake said.

With the implementation of the RTI Law, there is a growing need for information officers who are trained in handling and providing access to information. By becoming a training center for information officers, UNIMAC can provide students with valuable training and internship opportunities in this field. This will not only help students gain practical skills but also prepare them for a career in public service.

Among other things, Amedzake stated that communication is an essential component of any organization today and therefore called on the university to foster a robust and mutually beneficial relationship with industry, corporate Ghana, and start-up organizations to facilitate students' mandatory internship and national service placement. The class also suggested that UNIMAC reintroduce exchange programs to provide students with diverse learning opportunities.

He also appealed to the management of the University, the Dean, and Heads of the Department of the Faculty of Public Relations, Advertising, and Marketing, as well as the leadership of IPR-Ghana to reach a consensus, allowing PR students to take the necessary IPR membership and professional accreditation exams in their final year, just as accounting students in other universities are able to write ICAG exams while in school.

“We hope this will create a smooth transition for students to become accredited and recognized PR professionals. The Faculty of Journalism and Media Studies can also revive the GJA-GIJ Chapter to help link journalism students to their mother association,” he added.

Over the weekend, the University of Media Arts and Communication graduated over 1,500 diploma and undergraduate and graduate students who studied different programs at its first-ever congregation event at the University’s North Dzorwulu campus.