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30 journalists trained in Science, Technology, Innovation reporting
The British High Commission Accra, in collaboration with the Responsible AI Lab (RAIL) at the Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology, Kumasi (KNUST) and the Ministry of Environment, Science and Technology (MEST), has organised a week-long capacity-building workshop for 30 selected journalists across the country.
The workshop was held on February 24-28 and aimed at enhancing journalists’ ability to drive measurable behaviour change while contributing to broader policy objectives in public understanding of science and technology.
The workshop focused on the need for clear, accurate, and accessible reporting on developments in Science, Technology, and Innovation (ST&I) and also highlighted the UK Government’s commitment to supporting Ghana’s development objectives through frontier technology, as outlined in the UK-Ghana Science, Technology, and Innovation Strategy launched in 2023.
Mr Richard Sandall, Development Director at the British High Commission Accra, emphasised the importance of this initiative, stating, “This is the second edition of the workshop aimed at equipping media personnel with skills in ST&I reporting. Science and technology stories are shaping the world rapidly, and it is crucial for journalists to keep pace.”
A key highlight of the workshop was a pitch competition, where the top 10 innovative ideas will be awarded £1,000 each.
Additionally, he said, winners will have the opportunity to visit Imperial College London for knowledge exchange and further training.
He said as part of efforts to ensure continuity, KNUST will introduce a short course on media excellence in Science, Technology, and Innovation, reinforcing a sustainable capacity-building approach for journalists.
Mr Kwamena Quaison, Director of Science and Technology at MEST, reaffirmed the media’s critical role in national development. He mentioned that ongoing discussions on ST&I have led to an executive directive to restructure MEST for greater efficiency.
Mrs Linda Asante Agyei, Vice-President of the Ghana Journalists Association (GJA), acknowledged progress in bridging the communication gap between scientists and the media. “In the 1990s, getting scientists to discuss their innovations publicly was difficult. Today, they engage on radio and TV and even write articles about their work. This is a positive shift,” she noted.
She asserted that science and technology reporting presents unique challenges, including complex scientific concepts, the fast-paced nature of technological advancements, and ethical considerations.
Mrs Asante Agyei called for continuous learning, improving science literacy, and fostering collaborations between journalists and experts to enhance quality reporting.
A Principal Investigator and Scientific Director of RAIL KNUST, Prof. Jerry John Kponyo, reaffirmed the university’s dedication to advancing ST&I research for national development. However, he pointed out that many groundbreaking scientific breakthroughs from KNUST and other Ghanaian universities remain underreported.
He noted that there was a disconnect between scientific research and its communication and to bridge this gap, KNUST, through RAIL, has partnered with the British High Commission and MEST to equip journalists with the necessary skills to report on STI developments effectively.
By Jemima Esinam Kuatsinu