GIJ graduates pioneer Master's degree batch; Graphic staff wins award
The Ghana Institute of Journalism (GIJ) on Friday attained another milestone when the pioneer batch of its Master of Arts (MA) programmes graduated at a ceremony at the institute in Accra.
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They graduated in Master of Arts (MA) in Journalism, Media Management, Development Communication and Public Relations,
The first batch of students of the institute were admitted to the programmes in October 2014, following the granting of accreditation by the National Accreditation Board (NAB) to the school to undertake the programmes in 2013.
In all, 92 students, made up of 48 males and 44 females, graduated after completing 15 months of rigorous studies. A staff of the Graphic Communications Group Limited (GCGL), Mr Enoch Darfah Frimpong, picked up an award as the most promising graduate in Media Management.
(above) Hon. Freda Prempeh (left), Member of Parliament for Tano South (extreme left)
Other graduates from the GCGL were Ms Rosemary Ardayfio, Ms Esther Somuah and Mr Gabriel Ahiabor.
Speaking at the graduation ceremony, the Rector of the institute, Dr Wilberforce Sefakor Dzisah, said the move to upgrade the institute to offer graduate programmes was occasioned by the need to fill an intellectual gap in the country’s development process.
He said it was to address specific development needs and inherent weaknesses in communications as well as provide resources for an in-depth understanding of the communication processes within the development community.
That, he said, was based on the fact that advanced human resource training, coupled with the need for the practical application of trending communication theories, was crucial to national development.
(above) Mr Tom Prosper Quarshie receiving his award from Mr Elvis Afriyie Ankrah for emerging as the overall best student having graduated with distinction in Public Relations,
Quality programmes
Dr Dzisah said the quality of the programmes of the school could be measured by the impact that the pioneer batch of graduates made on society.
For that reason, he said, careful thought had been given not only to how the school taught but what it taught, bearing in mind that there was the need to create a batch of employable students.
Dr Dzisah said the school would not be complacent but continue to be more innovative in the introduction of more programmes to meet the communication needs of the country.
The Chairman of the Council of the institute, Mr Berifi Apenteng, said the prime objective of the school was to offer the best of training in the field of journalism and communication.
He said more resources were being invested in the development of infrastructure and the building of the capacities of staff and students.
New campus
A Minister of State at the Presidency, Mr Elvis Afriyie Ankrah, who delivered an address on behalf of the Chief of Staff, Mr Julius Debrah, said the institute had produced many of the best journalists in Ghana and Africa.
In spite of the lack of adequate infrastructure, he said, the leadership of the school had ensured the achievement of exploits and that the government was proud of the school.
He promised that the government would provide the needed resources to ensure the completion of the school’s new campus before the start of the next academic year.
Award winners
Mr Tom Prosper Quarshie emerged the overall best student having graduated with distinction in Public Relations, while Mr Desmond Nii Lamptey, Ms Linda Opoku Yeboah and Mr Emmanuel Essel won the best student awards in Journalism, Media Management and Development Communication respectively.
Mr Lawrence Ayitey Kanya, Ms Marilyn Ablordey and Ms Cecilia Akpene Sabbah won the most promising awards in Journalism, Public Relations and Development Communication respectively.
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