Mahama to address Africa Media & Democracy conference

President John Dramani Mahama will, on 25th August, 2016, addressed the 4th edition of the Africa Media & Democracy Conference (AMDMC) in Accra.

The conference, which is on the theme, ‘Media, Democracy & Security’, will bring together delegates including politicians, media owners, journalists, academics/students and non-governmental organisations around the world to deliberate on the theme of the conference.

A press release issued jointly by the Africa Media & Democracy Institute and the Ghana Journalists Association also announced a training session for journalists and media practitioners on terrorism reporting and media crises management.

According to the release, the training is a joint initiative between the Ghana Journalists Association and the Africa Media & Democracy Institute to enhance the quality of journalism practice in the country.

The training also aims to equip participants with the skills and know-how in responding to terrorists’ attacks and threats. It will provide a forum for stakeholders to interact and recognize the context from which they are likely to operate when terrorism occurs.

The release quoted the GJA President, Affail Monney, as saying “I think we live in an era where terrorism and the threat of terrorism is not a figment of imagination, hence those at the front of such occurrence must update their skills and techniques.

Media practitioners are part of those at the forefront when there is an occurrence, so I believe our members will immensely benefit from such training. And we hope to work with the Africa Media & Democracy Institute in other areas of our work.”

For his part Barima Adu Asamoa, Executive Director, of AMDI, said: “…Africa’s effort in consolidating its democracies and rule of law is potentially threatened by this phenomenon of terrorists’ attacks.

It must therefore be supported by an effective and engaging media practitioners adequately equipped without escalating often a highly volatile situation.