3rd Media capacity enhancement programme underway in Accra

The Minister of Information, Fatimatu Abubakar, has inaugurated the third cohort of media capacity enhancement programme (MCEP) being organised by the ministry at the University of Media Arts and Communication (UNIMAC) in North Dzorwulu, Accra, yesterday.

The programme, which is aimed at equipping media professionals with advanced skills, is to bolster their role as the fourth estate in the nation’s democracy.

Participants included reporters, producers, social media executives and media critics who were selected by an independent working committee.

They are expected to take advantage of the training to build their career to help shape the media landscape in the country.

Participants would also engage in interactive discussions with experienced facilitators during the training.  More than 100 journalists benefitted from the training in previous cohorts.

The four-day programme is being supported by the Volta River Authority and MTN. The MCEP, which was first launched in January 2022, intends to equip media professionals with the skills necessary to advance the nation’s development. 

Significance

Ms Abubakar underscored the importance of the programme, saying a well-informed and capable media was integral to the nation’s democratic process.

“I am excited to see the commitment and enthusiasm of all the participants gathered here and online.

“This programme is not just a scheduled event, it is an essential step in enhancing our democracy and media environment,” she added.

The minister lauded her predecessor, Kojo Oppong Nkrumah, for laying the foundation for the programme, which she said had become a cornerstone of media training in the country.

Impact

On the impact of the programme, Ms Abubakar said  the MCEP brand had gained recognition as a formidable tool to enhance the work of practicing journalists.

It had also inspired similar training initiatives by the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) and the British High Commission.

The minister encouraged the participants to seize the opportunity to broaden their skills, stressing the importance of maintaining professionalism and integrity at the work place.

“The media is a very strong instrument that carries a lot of responsibility. You have a vital responsibility to enlighten and educate the public, and you must do so with honesty and a dedication to the truth,” she said.