Accra, Oct. 25, GNA -The Ghana Institute of Journalism (GIJ) on Saturday held its 2nd congregation with a call on media to promote the country's development agenda instead of always attacking personalities. "By so doing, we expect the media to educate and inform the public on policies and other development issues, in order to become the agents for change", Mr Solomon Asoalla, Director of Legal and Protocol Affairs of the Ministry of Education, Science and Sports(MOESS) said in Accra. Speaking on the theme; "The Media, Politician and Responsibility Towards the 2008 Elections", Mr Asoalla acknowledged that the media had played crucial roles in consolidating democracy, but should do more to promote unity in diversity towards national development. He observed that the GIJ remained a strategic institution due to its role in training journalists, but said it should inculcate the search of the truth in upcoming journalists to enable them to perform better

Mr Asoalla also urged media practitioners to sensitise the electorate to exercise restraint and help maintain peace. "I entreat the media to use truthful information only when it is constructive and not distractive to help deepen the democratic dispensation attained so far", he said. Mr. Kweku Rockson, Acting Rector of GIJ expressed GIJ's continued commitment to maintain high standards of decency, fairness and equity towards democratic governance. This, he said, would make the institute a centre of excellence in Africa and beyond. He mentioned the constraints on space and facilities as affecting the GIJ's pursuit to provide equal opportunities to all qualified applicants, expressing the hope that its new site at Okponglo when completed, would open more avenues. He also said GIJ had introduced a two-year top up programme for its past diploma products to enable them upgrade their skills and attain higher academic laurels.

Mr Rockson hinted that GIJ had drawn schedules for inter-faculty lectures and seminars and had also come out with other journals to promote academic research and ideas. He urged the graduates to work hard in order to bring dignity, progress, unity and liberty to mankind and appealed for more support from the GETFund, government and benevolent organisations to further improve facilities of the institute. Mr Ransford Tetteh, member of the GIJ Board, who chaired the congregation, said the institute become a fully fledged tertiary institution with a university status last two year. GIJ formally under the Ministry of Information and National Orientation was now under the MOESS. Mr Tetteh said GIJ's new status was a conviction that it was performing to expectation, and therefore needed support to meet the demands of the larger public who were keen in pursuing a career in communications. He charged the media to always verify their information to produce factual stories and reminded them of society's expectation, especially during the elections.

In all, 120 students were awarded Diploma in Communication Studies. Ms. Melody Selassie Adorsi emerged the overall best student, taking home three desk top computers, certificates and cash prices. She was also the best professional and best female student. Mr Prosper Agyei was also adjudged the best student in Mass Communications. whilst Mr Emmanuel Idan was the best Student in Broadcast Journalism. Each took home a certificate and desk top computer. 25 Oct. 08