Ghana Institute of Journalism (GIJ) beat University of Professional Studies, Accra (UPSA) to emerge winners at the grand finale of a novel intercommunication universities contest – The Newsroom Contest – held on Tuesday, December 1, in Accra.
For savouring the ultimate, GIJ took home assorted communication books, with all its four contestants receiving a brand new 7-inch mobile tablet each as well as a-one-month internship opportunity with “The Finder” newspaper. UPSA received a set of communication books and a-one-month internship with Business & Financial Times for all four team members.
Both finalists were also presented with free copies of Ambassador Kabral Blay-Amihere’s latest book on the media in Ghana; “I Spoke for Freedom.” As Chairman for the occasion, the former diplomat who is also the immediate past Chairman of the National Media Commission, said he accepted to be part of the occasion because of the importance he attached to the uniqueness of the Newsroom contest as a beautiful addition to efforts at salvaging the dwindling fortunes of journalism in particular.
Dubbed the ‘Newsroom Competition’, the students engaged in real-time news writing, marketing communication strategy presentation and debates that seek to better position them to contend with the realities of today’s revolutionary communication industry.
Five institutions; Ghana Institute of Journalism, Sikkim Manipal University, Central University College, University of Professional Studies, Accra and Pentecost University College participated in the competition that was took off on October 2 with the Deputy Minister of Communications, Hon. Felix Kwakye Ofosu, officially signaling for the commencement of hostilities.
After five weeks of fierce round robbing contests among the competing schools, Ghana Institute of Journalism and University of Professional Studies, Accra emerged the top two best performing schools based on marks awarded them by a distinguished editorial panel of made of consummate communications professionals drawn from the industry and academia
The Chinese Ambassador to Ghana, H.E. Madam Sun Baohong, who was Special Guest-of-Honour, in an address at the grand finale charged media practitioners to keep to the ethical codes of the profession and tell “more good stories about Africa”.
“Actually, there are so many good stories in Ghana. But when looking through the newspaper, we are always inundated with the news on party conflicts, corruption, industrial actions and power crisis and thus neglect Ghana’s achievements in democratic government economic development and social progress,” she said.
She added that; “The media while fearlessly exposing the ugly to defend social justice, should also spread inspiring positive energy, promote national unity, strengthen social cohesiveness and mobilize social resources for national development.”
In his address, the Chief Operating Officer of Cheetah Communications, organisers of the contest, Kojo Dadzie, called on corporate Ghana to show more generosity towards next year’s event as the maiden edition had to run with very little support. He thanked the Chinese Embassy, Movie House Plaza, The Finder, Business & Financial Times, Joy News Tv, E-Tv Ghana and Ghana Television for investing faith in them for a successful roll-out of the maiden contest.
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