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Focus on issues that unite nation - Journalists charged

The Chief of Staff at the Presidency, Mr Prosper Douglas Bani, has urged journalists to ensure the highest standard of professionalism because their profession is vital for the promotion of peace and stability for national development.

 

Mr Bani underscored the need for journalists to focus on issues that united the nation instead of concentrating on things that could draw wedges among the people.

He made the appeal at the seventh congregation of the Ghana Institute of Journalism (GIJ) for diploma students and the first batch of degree students in Accra on Saturday.

The theme for the event was “Communication—a vehicle for National Stability and Peaceful Development.”

He expressed concern about the emerging impression that anybody could practice journalism without any training.

“The media is too powerful a tool to be left in the hands of the untrained. We cannot downplay this point if we are to keep the cohesion and survival of the nation,” he stressed.

Graduates

In all 185 diploma students and 179 degree students received their certificates after successfully completing their programmes in June 2013.

Students who excelled were honoured. Mr Michael Lemuel Nortey was adjudged the Overall Best Student, as well as the Best student in Journalism (Diploma category), while Ms Sirina Abukar D. Sofa was awarded the Best Student in Public Relations.

Others were Raymond Bayor Yeldidong, Best student in Public Relations (Degree). Ms Mildred Europa Taylor was adjudged the Best Student in Journalism, as well as the Overall Best student (Degree category). Ms Mavis Animah Darkwah was given the Most Promising Journalist award. 

Mr Bani called on the management of media institutions to engage more professional journalists and accord them the due respect.

Achievements

The Rector of the GIJ, Mr David Newton, announced that the school had been given approval by the National Accreditation Board to run four master’s programmes from September 2014.

They are Master of Arts in Journalism, Public Relations, Media Management and Development Communication.

Mr Newton said the institute had set up a radio station in fulfilment of its cherished dream of enhancing journalism training.

He appealed to the Chief of Staff and the Minister of Education to use their influences to ensure that the Ghana Education Trust Fund (GETfund) would fulfil its pledge to release funds for the completion of the four-storey complex at the institute’s new site at Okponglo in Accra.

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