Cabinet discusses fate of Ghana Institute of Journalism

Government spokesman, Kwabena Agyepong on Tuesday said cabinet is considering the posting of the Ghana Institute of Journalism (GIJ) from the Ministry of Communications and Technology (MCT) to the Ministry of Education (MOE).

Mr. Agyepong, who was interacting with journalists in Accra said the institute has over the years made unheeded appeals to be repositioned to the MOE to benefit from various financial investments into the education sector.

This assurance comes in the wake of appeals by the GIJ for government to revamp the institute by providing financial assistance for the institute's land at Okponglo to be developed to accommodate more students. "We think that appeal is justifiable and efforts are being made to ensure that this is done within a short time," he said.

He said while discussing the GIJ, government has initiated moves to ensure that the institute benefited from the Ghana Education Trust Fund (GETFund). Mr. Agyepong said whilst government is determined to deliver on its promise, Journalists and the media must ensure that they exercise their democratic rights within the confines of the law. "Government has always been opened for constructive criticism, but citizens must learn to do so with respect and in truth," he said.

Mr. Agyepong said government has decided to organise media briefings on Mondays and Tuesdays to prevent Journalists from questioning ministers and government functionaries at random. He urged Journalists to take advantage of the platform created by the government to clarify issues before they are published.