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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
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People of Volta Region will soon have a sigh of relief- Roads and Highways Minister
The Minister for Roads and Highways has assured that the people of Volta Region will soon have a sigh of relief.
This follows an update from the Ministry on the Ho-Aflao Road and Weta – Afiadenyigba – Havedzi Road
The government has taken steps to fulfill its promise to reconstruct the Ho-Aflao and the Weta – Afiadenyigba – Havedzi Road.
Yesterday, the Minister, Kwame Agbodza, accompanied by the deputy minister, Alhassan Suhuyini, led a team of engineers from the Ministry of Roads and Highways and the Ghana Highway Authority to assess the conditions of the roads and plans for urgent intervention.
Mr.Agbodza indicated the whereas the Ho-Aflao Road will be reconstructed under the Big Push Agenda of President John Mahama, the Weta – Afiadenyigba – Havedzi Road will be funded through the Roads Ministry’s 2025 budgetary allocation.
The Minister further explained that feasibility studies, drawings, and designs for the Ho bypass are almost complete, with procurement and construction set to begin soon.
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Gender Minister participate in 2025 IWD Women’s Dialogue
On Saturday March 8, 2025, the Minister for Gender, Children, and Social Protection, Dr. Agnes Naa Momo Lartey, participated in the 2025 International Women’s Day (IWD) Women’s Dialogue.
The event, held under the patronage of Vice President Prof. Naana Jane Opoku-Agyemang, brought together policymakers, leaders, and advocates to discuss the theme: “Resetting the Agenda for Women: Accelerating Action on Women’s Rights, Equity, and Empowerment.”
The dialogue aimed to celebrate the social, economic, cultural, and political achievements of women while addressing the challenges they continue to face.
It also provided a platform for stakeholders to engage in discussions that would accelerate action on women’s rights and empowerment, fostering collaboration on gender equality initiatives.
Vice President Prof. Naana Jane Opoku-Agyemang emphasized the need for inclusive and sustained efforts to promote women’s leadership, economic empowerment, and educational advancement.
Speaking at the event, Hon. Dr. Agnes Naa Momo Lartey reiterated the urgency of accelerating action on women’s rights, equity, and empowerment.
She acknowledged the progress made in advancing gender equality but stressed that significant challenges remain, particularly in education, healthcare, and economic opportunities.
She emphasized that discussions should go beyond identifying these challenges to taking deliberate and transformative actions to address them. She called for concrete steps to turn commitments into lasting change, urging stakeholders to work together to develop policies, shift societal norms, and economically and politically empower women.
Underscoring the theme “Resetting the Agenda for Women: Accelerating Action on Women’s Rights, Equity, and Empowerment,” the Minister called for a renewed commitment from all stakeholders to move beyond rhetoric and drive real, measurable change.
She urged policymakers, civil society, and the private sector to collaborate on initiatives that empower women economically, challenge societal norms, and create inclusive spaces for women’s voices to be heard.
The Minister further emphasized that:
“Gender equality is not just about rights—it is about ensuring that women have the power and resources to shape their own destinies and contribute meaningfully to national development.”
She reaffirmed President John Dramani Mahama’s Government commitment to advocating for gender equity and encouraged meaningful dialogue to inspire actionable strategies.
In conclusion, she called on all participants to actively contribute to shaping a future where women’s rights are fully realized, emphasizing that every action counts in achieving true gender equality.
