The government, through the Ministry of Information, has launched a Media Capacity Enhancement Programme in Accra.

The programme is aimed at boosting the competencies of practicing journalists in the country.

Speaking at the launch, which was held on Sunday, November 14, 2021, the Chief Director at the Ministry, Ms. Mamle Andrews explained that “the programme has been designed to create a platform that seeks to bring together academia, civil society organizations in the media as well as practicing journalists to develop a curriculum to assist practicing journos to continually enhance their capacity”

She mentioned that the National Media Commission, Ghana Journalist Association, Ghana Institute of Journalism, Institute of Public Relations – Ghana, Private Newspaper Publishers Association of Ghana, Ghana Independent Broadcasters Association, and the University of Ghana School of Information and Communications Studies as the major partners that worked on developing the curriculum.

Ms. Andrews disclosed that participants in the programme will be provided with bursaries from the Ministry.

“The role of the Ministry simply is to provide bursary to participants from the media who will benefit from the programme annually,” she said.

“Under the programme, skills analysis has been conducted, a curriculum based on the gaps have been identified. A faculty for training based on curriculum have been identified and engaged and they have been tasked to provide periodic training for media practitioners across the country,” Ms. Andrews continued.

She stated that the Ministry is committed to the success of the Media Capacity Enhancement Programme.

“The Ministry will focus its attention on raising funds for the implementation of the programme. It will provide both technical support to the working committee and also coordinate the activities of the working committee,” she stated.

Also speaking at the launch, the Chairman of the Committee that was tasked with developing the curriculum for the programme, Prof. Kwamena Kwansah-Aidoo disclosed that the first training will run from Monday, 6th December, 2021 in the Ashanti Region.

He disclosed that about 60 media personnel are expected to participate in the training.

“The topics we have decided on, for the first batch of training is; media as a tool for socio-economic development in nation-building, ethics and the journalism mission, journalism media personnel and the law, digital media, impact journalism and investigative journalism,” he mentioned. 

It is anticipated that the programme will help position the media to effectively play its watchdog role in order to help consolidate Ghana’s democracy for national development.

Some of the specific objectives of the programme include; the improvement of quality and effective reportage, increase professionalism in the conduct of media personnel and media houses, awareness and increased desire in skills in how to hold duty bearers accountable.

It is also expected that the programme will benefit a host of media practitioners including; reporters, correspondents, commentators, producers, directors, social media executives, anchors, editors, programme directors, production teams, among others.