JOURNALIST with The Finder, Christabel Oboshie Annan, has been selected for the 2021 Media Capacity Building Initiative for Reporting on Disability (MCBIRD) fellowship.
Ms Annan is among 26 journalists and media professionals who have been chosen across the country to participate in the training slated for Thursday, December 2 and Friday, December 3, 2021.
The project’s goal is to provide journalists with training, guidance, and resources on how to report and promote fact-based, objective, and impactful media content on people with disabilities through digital, print, and broadcast media.
The venue for the two-day event is the Executive Conference Center, Ghana Institute of Management and Public Administration (GIMPA).
Ms Annan’s work on Persons Living with Cerebral palsy and down syndrome earned her a selection to the fellowship, which will be certified by the National Center for Disability Journalism, based on the campus of Arizona State University, USA and BlueCrest University College.
With the aim of having the issues of people with disabilities dominating the media, the Organizing Partners believe that this initiative would empower and amplify the voices and efforts of journalists who have distinguished themselves in helping to reduce stigma and discrimination, as well as lead the way to improved government policies.
A closing ceremony dubbed ‘Media for Disability Awards & Dinner’ will climax the training with the US Ambassador to Ghana, Stephanie Sullivan and the Information Minister, Kojo Oppong Nkrumah, as special guests of honour.
MCBIRD is a partnership initiative led by YALI TV with support from the US Embassy in Ghana, the Ghana Journalists Association (GJA) and the National Centre for Disability Journalism.
Some of the participants are Portia Sonia Gabor, Media General Group; Prosper Kuorsoh, Ghana News Agency; Daniel Abugre Anyoriga, CitiNews; Eric Kombat, Daily Guide; Ibrahim Angaagmeni Alhassan, Radio Tamale; Nukunu Akusika Deku, Facebook; Thelma N.A. Abbey, the Finder and others.
The facilitators for the program include a Senior Lecturer at the University of Ghana, Prof Audrey Gadzekpo; Advisory Board Member of YALI TV, Dr Felix Dela Klutse; Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Stratcomm Africa, Esther Cobbah and Programmes Manager of Asempa FM, Philip Osei Bonsu.
Other speakers and contributors including the GJA President, Affail Monney, have been lined up to make the programme a success.
