Beijing: Three Ghanaian journalists working with the Ghana News Agency (GNA) have been selected to participate in a Seminar for Senior Management of Mainstream Media across Africa in China. They are Mr. Yussif Ibrahim and Mr. Anthony Apubeo, Chief Reporters at the Kumasi office of the Ashanti Region and Bolgatanga offices of the Upper East Region respectively, and Mrs. Mildred Siabi-Mensah, an Editor of the Takoradi office of the Western Region.
According to Ghana News Agency, the 14-day seminar, titled 'Seminar for Senior Management of Mainstream Media in Countries along the Belt and Road', is designed to equip managers of newsrooms with the requisite knowledge on modern technologies to enhance newsroom operations. The training also highlights the adoption of artificial intelligence-driven content in generating more meaningful programs to remain even more relevant in their media operations and marketing across Africa.
The development of China's media industry and international exchange and cooperation has been used as a tool to reinforce the need for stronger public-owned media with the capacity to orient its citizens towards a common national goal. The seminar is also interspersed with field visits to places such as the CCTV Tower, China's longest TV tower satellite station hosting prominent in-country and out-country satellites, among other important places.
In an interview, Mr. Apubeo said the course had come in handy to improve upon his capacity as a senior officer, presenting him with many perspectives on the effect of newsroom running. He was particularly interested in the presentations on 5G technology and the need for public media to retool to entrench their position in the media industry.
Mr. Yussif, on his part, took the turn to commend the Management and Board of the GNA for the desire to build and grow their intellectual capabilities in running an effective newsroom. 'Such training not only exposes us to international best practices but also serves as an avenue to build bridges on what should be done differently in staying relevant as a giant media in Ghana and Africa.'