Boost for telecoms reporting in Ghana

Telecoms reporting in Ghana has been given a tremendous boost with some influential media in the country designating journalists from their respective media as telecom reporters.

The journalists from radio, television, newspapers and the Ghana News Agency would serve as focal persons on telecommunications in their media outfits, thereby specialising in the area.

The ten journalists were taken through a four-day intensive workshop under the Enhanced Telecoms Reporting Project in Ghana being organised by the Media Foundation for West Africa (MFWA) and supported by the largest telecoms company, MTN Ghana.

After this phase, the project is expected to be rolled out on a larger scale, and other telecom operators, other than MTN, would be expected to come on board to ensure that the objectives of improving telecoms reporting in Ghana are achieved.

The trainees, made up of four females and six males, were optimistic that the project would continue with the support of all stakeholders.

Over the years, the telecommunications industry has contributed significantly to Ghana's economy and overall national development. However, these remarkable contributions to the economy appear to have been underreported as a result of the low capacity of the media to effectively report on the sector.

Before the training, participants were taken on a familiarization tour of a couple of telecoms institutions in the country, including the telecoms regulatory agency, the National Communications Authority (NCA). The tour gave the participants firsthand knowledge of the operations of the institutions. It preceded a three-day intensive theoretical workshop which was addressed by experienced industry experts, academicians, media practitioners and an official from the NCA.

Issued by the MFWA, Accra, March 2, 2012

The MFWA is a regional independent, non-profit, non-governmental organization based in Accra. It was founded in 1997 to defend and promote the rights and freedom of the media and all forms of expression.

For more information please contact: Kwame Karikari (Prof) Executive Director MFWA Accra Tel: 233-21-24 24 70 Fax: 233-21-22 10 84

Email: mfwa@africaonline.com.gh / alerts@mediafound.org

Website: www.mediafound.org