The Minister for Information, Fatimatu Abubakar, has called on the Ghanaian media to work towards building a media landscape that reflects the needs of the country’s citizens.
She made this appeal while delivering a speech at the opening ceremony of the third cohort of the Media Capacity Enhancement Programme (MCEP) on Tuesday, 10th September, 2024.
“We can work together to build a media landscape that is both strong and advances the needs of Ghanaians”, the Minister urged. The minister noted that the MCEP, which aims to equip journalists and media practitioners with essential skills, is a vital part of this effort.
The Minister expressed her appreciation for the foundation laid by her predecessor, who initiated the MCEP under the theme: “Equipping the Media to Play an Effective Role in Nation Building.”
She lauded the programme’s progress, stating that it has inspired similar initiatives, including collaborations with the UNDP and the British High Commission.
The Minister encouraged participants to fully engage in the programme, highlighting the significance of the media in fostering a well-informed society.
“A flourishing democracy is built on the foundation of an informed and capable media,” she said.
The MCEP, first launched in January 2022, aims to equip media professionals with the skills necessary to advance the nation’s development.
The participants, including reporters, producers, social media executives, and media critics, were selected by an independent working committee. Over 100 journalists have benefitted from the training in previous cohorts.
Participants are expected to engage in interactive discussions and learn from experienced facilitators.
The opening ceremony was attended by key stakeholders, including the Vice-Chancellor of UniMAC, the Chairperson of the National Media Commission, representatives from media associations, and various partners.
The four-day programme is supported by the Volta River Authority and MTN.
As the third cohort kicks off, participants are expected to take full advantage of the training, which would contribute significantly to their career development and the media landscape in Ghana. The MCEP is set to end on Friday, September 13, 2024.
