The Minister for Information, Fatimatu Abubakar, alongside the Working Committee, has officially launched the third cohort of the Media Capacity Enhancement Programme (MCEP).
This initiative is aimed at strengthening the skills and knowledge of journalists in Ghana to better address the media’s capacity challenges.
The launch, which took place today at the Ministry of Information’s Press Centre, underscored the critical role of the media as the fourth estate in Ghana’s governance.
Abubakar highlighted that the MCEP aligns with the Ministry’s strategic objectives to enhance civil society’s participation in national development.
“By addressing the media’s capacity challenges, we are empowering journalists to play their role effectively in our democracy,” she stated.
Reflecting on the success of previous cohorts, the Minister noted that the program has already benefited 100 media personnel across the country.
The maiden edition, held in Kumasi in January 2022, trained 58 journalists, while the second cohort, held in December 2023 at the University of Media, Arts and Communications (UNIMAC) in Accra, saw 42 participants engage in nine essential journalism modules.
Gloria Hiadzi, Chairperson of the Working Committee and Executive Secretary of the Ghana Independent Broadcasters Association (GIBA), addressed the gathering, emphasizing the importance of this year’s training, especially with the upcoming elections.
She mentioned that the training would target 100 journalists from TV, radio, print, and online media across the nation, with additional modules focusing on fact-checking, ethical reporting, electoral processes, and digital media navigation.
This year’s edition, scheduled for September 10th to 13th, 2024, will be conducted in a hybrid format, with 40 journalists participating in-person at UNIMAC’s Dzorwulu campus and 60 joining online.
Abubakar encouraged media practitioners and media houses to apply for the training via the program’s website.
The launch was attended by stakeholders, including members of the MCEP Working Committee, representatives from GIBA, the National Media Commission (NMC), the Ghana Journalists Association, and new partners such as the New Media Association of Ghana, Women in Broadcasting, and the Alliance for Women in Media Africa.
