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Academia, industry urged to collaborate in training journalists

• Mr Dwumfour handing over copies of the GJA Code of Ethics to Dr Gifty Appiah-Adjei after the seminar

• Mr Dwumfour handing over copies of the GJA Code of Ethics to Dr Gifty Appiah-Adjei after the seminar

 The Head of Department Journalism and Media Studies (DJMS), School of Communication Studies (SCS), University of Education, Winneba (UEW), Dr Gifty Ap­piah-Adjei, has called for greater collaboration between academia and industry in the area of train­ing journalist.

She said the disconnect that exist between training and prac­tice made it imperative for such collaboration, stressing that “It is important to underscore the critical role of professionalism in journalism practice in the country.”

Dr Appiah-Adjei made the call at a seminar, organised by the DJMS, SCS, UEW as part of this year’s celebration of the Com­munication Students Association (COMSA) week, at Winneba on Friday.

It was on the theme: “Profes­sionalism in journalism – The role of the Ghana Journalists Association.”

The occasion was also used to launch the UEW Students Chap­ter of the GJA as well as the inauguration of a new executive body.

The President of the Ghana Journalists Association (GJA), Albert Kwabena Dwumfour, affirmed the commitment of the association to promoting profes­sionalism among practicing and trainee journalists.

“And as we make such effort, we also encourage our members to live above reproach and always maintain high professional stan­dards,” he stated.

Mr Dwumfour indicated that journalism thrived on credibility; and called journalists and media practitioners to uphold ethics of their profession.

He said the association would strive to empower its members to be independent, free and bold to serve the interest of citizens at all times.

“It will also encourage profes­sionalism at all times and push for zero tolerance for misinfor­mation, fake news, misrepresen­tations, exaggerations, and stories that promote prejudices, miscon­ceptions, hatred, violent conflicts and defamation,” Mr Dwumfour said.

He said that the GJA and Wisconsin International Univer­sity College, Ghana, were on the verge of signing a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to initiate a scholarship scheme for members of the association.

The GJA, Mr Dwumfour said had reached a similar agreement with KNUTSFORD Univer­sity College in Accra to offer scholarship to GJA members to undertake three-month certif­icate programme in media and communication studies at the institution.

Additionally, he stated the GJA was engaging UniMAC-GIJ regarding the provision of pro­fessional training programmes for members, adding that all these interventions were designed to promote professionalism in the media.

Mr Dwumfour appealed to management of UEW to collabo­rate with the GJA to fashion out similar support towards profes­sional development for members of the association.

He indicated that the GJA Campus Chapter was designed to mobilise journalism and commu­nication students in tertiary insti­tutions, and inculcate in them the virtues aspired by the GJA.

Mr Dwumfour commended the Department of Journalism and Media for working tirelessly towards the establishment of the UEW student’s chapter of the GJA.

 FROM DAVID O. YARBOI-TETTEH, WINNEBA

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