News
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
The National Identification Authority (NIA) has announced the commencement of enforcement of the National Identity Register (Amendment) Regulations, 2026 (L.I. 2523), warning institutions that fail to comply with the new requirements of possible fines of up to 2,000 penalty units.
The Authority says it will deploy a Biometric Verification Implementation Task Force to inspect institutions and ensure they comply with the regulations, following the expiration of a three-month grace period granted to businesses and public institutions.
Speaking at a press briefing in Accra on Monday, November 2, 2026, the NIA’s Corporate Affairs representative, William Ampomah Emmanuel Darlas, said the Authority had completed its public education and stakeholder engagement activities and was now moving into the enforcement and compliance monitoring phase.
He explained that the regulations require institutions that verify the identities of customers or applicants as part of their operations to use the NIA’s approved biometric verification platform instead of relying solely on visual inspection of the Ghana Card.
Under the new rules, institutions are prohibited from photocopying, scanning or keeping copies of the Ghana Card for identity verification purposes.
Mr Darlas stressed that simply collecting a customer’s Ghana Card, looking at the photograph and comparing it with the person presenting it would no longer be accepted as a valid method of identity verification.
He, however, clarified that the Ghana Card remains the country’s official national identity document and that citizens are not required to register for a new card or capture their biometrics again under the new regulations.
He said the new system is intended to reduce identity fraud, impersonation and other crimes by ensuring that the person presenting the Ghana Card is the actual owner.
According to him, the biometric verification process will rely on information already captured during Ghana Card registration, including fingerprints, iris details and facial features stored in the card’s chip.
Mr Darlas warned institutions against using third-party companies or individuals to access the NIA’s identity verification platform, insisting that the Authority does not work with intermediaries.
He said institutions seeking access to the National Identity Register must deal directly with the NIA and complete its official onboarding process.
The process requires institutions to prove that they are legally registered companies in Ghana, obtain certification from the Data Protection Commission and work with the NIA’s technical team to establish the necessary connection to its platform.
He further cautioned institutions already connected to the platform against subletting their access to other businesses, particularly small and medium-sized enterprises.
He disclosed that the Authority had received reports of some institutions providing their verification services to other businesses without the NIA’s approval and warned that those involved would face legal action.
Mr Darlas said organisations that fail to comply with L.I. 2523 could face fines ranging from 500 to 2,000 penalty units, depending on the nature of the offence.
He explained that the NIA does not have the authority to impose the fines directly but would take offenders to court for the appropriate punishment.
He indicated that Institutions found guilty could also face additional administrative measures, including being barred from accessing the NIA’s verification platform in the future.
The NIA representative further clarified that the new regulations do not prohibit all institutions from physically using the Ghana Card during transactions.
The Managing Director of the Ghana Publishing Company Limited, Nana Kwesi Boatey, has revealed how he transformed a major overstaffing challenge into a success story through the government’s 24-Hour Economy initiative.
Speaking at the Government Accountability Series on Monday, November 2, Mr. Boatey disclosed that when he assumed office in February 2025, and inherited a bloated workforce of 250 employees doing work that could be efficiently handled by 150 people, a situation that created serious liquidity challenges for the state-owned company.
Instead of resorting to downsizing, he adopted an innovative approach by instituting a 24-hour operational system.
Under the new system, staff were redistributed across three shifts: 7 a.m. – 4:30 p.m., 10 a.m. – 7 p.m., and 10 p.m. – 4:30 a.m.
This not only ensured optimal use of labour but also maximized machine utilization and improved overall output.
According to him, the single move redefined the productivity culture within the company, reinforcing discipline, accountability, and efficiency.
The Ghana Publishing Company’s turnaround is being cited as a practical example of how the 24-Hour Economy policy can drive growth without job losses.
By Edem Mensah-Tsotorme
