Four Ghanaian journalists have shared how participation in United States exchange programmes transformed their perspectives on journalism, press freedom and public service.
They are Umaru Sanda Amadu of Citi FM/Channel One TV, an International Visitor Leadership Programme (IVLP) alumnus; Cecil Nii Obodai Wentum, a 2012 IVLP alumnus and acting Director of Public Affairs at the Ghana Highway Authority; Alfred Ocansey of TV3, a 2019 Mandela Washington Fellow; and Doreen Ampofo, Chief Editor at GBC and a Humphrey Fellow.
Speaking at a panel discussion organised by the US Embassy in Accra, the journalists reflected on the lessons they learned from their respective programmes and how the experiences had influenced their professional lives.
Umaru said interacting with more than 80 journalists from different countries, some of whom had been arrested for practising journalism, made him appreciate the level of media freedom enjoyed in Ghana.
“I think we should be grateful for the press freedom we enjoy in Ghana,” he said.
Alfred said comparing the media environment in Ghana and Rwanda deepened his understanding of the relationship between press freedom and development.
He added that the Mandela Washington Fellowship had also changed his approach to journalism.
“Before the Mandela Fellowship, I was driven by passion and zeal, but after, I was armed with tools to be intellectually positive,” he said.
Doreen said the Humphrey Fellowship encouraged her to go beyond being “the normal journalist” and contributed significantly to her professional growth and achievements.
She described the networks she built through the programme as “a family” and urged journalists to nurture those relationships.
Cecil said his 2012 IVLP experience changed his understanding of journalism, particularly its role as a public service.
“When I got back, I came with something that journalism is a public service,” he said, urging journalists to remain accountable to the public rather than to governments or media owners.
He also cautioned journalists against sacrificing accuracy for speed in an attempt to compete with bloggers and other online content creators.
The acting Public Affairs Officer of the US Embassy, Matthew Asada, said the discussion formed part of the embassy’s public diplomacy efforts to highlight how its exchange programmes had influenced the careers and professional development of alumni.
