Chairman of the National Media Commission (NMC), Yaw Boadu-Ayeboafoh, has intimated his outfit is enthusiastic about the decision to give capacity to media professionals in the country.
Speaking at the Media Capacity Enhancement Programme to boost the competencies of practicing journalists in the country, he explained that if journalists are capacitated, it’ll lessen the burden on the Commission.
“The more professional the journalist works, the easier the obligation that is imposed on us and therefore, left to us, we wish that our journalist perform at a perfect level so that the Commission will have very little[to do]. I am proud that we are launching this programme at the feet of the Otumfuo”.
Yaw Boadu-Ayeboafoh
According to Yaw Boadu-Ayeboafoh, the initiative is very necessary because when media professionals are well equipped, they make an impact on the people and get the recognition that they deserve.
The NMC Chairman told the participants that the programme serves as an opportunity for them to invest in their craft and in themselves. He therefore challenged the participants to ensure the success of the programme and cause the people of Ghana to believe the investment has not been in vain.
“We do hope that at the end of the day, the first batch under this training programme will be able to distinguish themselves such that Ghanaians will be clamoring that the programme should be sustained”.
Yaw Boadu-Ayeboafoh
Modernity and Culture
Touching on media practice and the issue with modernity and culture, Yaw Boadu-Ayeboafoh averred that for the National Media Commission, it is becoming increasingly clear the number of issues these present in media practice.
“There are deficiencies within that and there are a number of cases that are coming before us where traditional authorities are finding it a little bit uncomfortable because of the way some of the media [firms] are practicing.”
Yaw Boadu-Ayeboafoh
Mr. Ayeboafoh disclosed his outfit’s intention to seek discernment on the matter from the Asantehene, Otumfuo Osei Tutu II, on media, tradition and culture so that they can have a relationship that will be more enduring.
“Culture makes us and if we forget our culture, we will be lost. In the attempt of introducing modern trends, when we frown upon our cultural practices, then it means we are losing our identity as Ghanaians”.
Yaw Boadu-Ayeboafoh
The NMC Chairman mentioned that he is of the hope that the programme will be of a worthy beginning. He expressed gratitude to all those who sacrificed their time and energy in putting this initiative together.
“We only hope that we will do them good by practicing ethical journalism so that when they wake up wherever they are at the end of this training, everyone will stand out and feel proud that when we went to the Asantehene’s palace at Manhyia, the outcome has been positive”.
Yaw Boadu-Ayeboafoh
The government, through the Ministry of Information, has launched a Media Capacity Enhancement Programme which is aimed at boosting the competencies of practicing journalists in the country.
The programme, according to government, has been designed to create a platform that seeks to bring together academia, civil society organizations in the media as well as practicing journalists to develop a curriculum to assist practicing journalists to continually enhance their capacity.
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