Ghanaian state, private media get over 500 laptops

The Ministry of Information and Media Relations on Tuesday presented 596 Rlg laptop computers to private and state media institutions as part of efforts to help build the capacity of the Ghanaian media.

Beneficiaries were the Ghana News Agency (GNA), Ghana Journalists Association, Ghana Independent Broadcasters Association,(GIBA) the Private News Paper Publishers Association of Ghana (PRINPAG) Institute of Public Relations (IPR) and Information Services Department (ISD).

Presenting the laptops the Minister of Information, Mr Mahama Ayariga said the Ministry per its mandate would build the capacity of both state and private media and ensure that journalists were provided with adequate and correct information.

He noted that the media in Ghana were faced with the challenge of easy access to information from government functionaries and that together with the GJA, GIBA and PRINGPAG had re-instituted the mid-week, weekly media briefing at Flag Staff House.

The media briefing, which would resume this Thursday, April 11, 2013 at 10:00 hours, would be attended by editors.

Media Houses who will be investigating on issues related to specific ministries or government institutions would be required to send their questions or issues on which their questions would be centred at least two days ahead of the briefing to the GJA or GIBA.

The questions would then be forwarded to the office of the Minister of Information and Media Relations.

The arrangement is to enable the Minister to gather information on the answers to those questions submitted before the briefing session.

Mr Ayariga noted that the Ministry would also institute capacity building training at GIMPA for some media personnel as well as all public relations officers to upgrade their knowledge and skills on specific ministries.

He said the Ministry would develop systems and protocols for public relations officers in all the districts to enable them to report periodically to headquarters on issues.

He urged beneficiaries to ensure that the laptop computers were distributed to qualified members and used judiciously.

Heads of the beneficiary institutions received their laptops on behalf of their various media institutions.

Source: GNA