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Ten journalists selected from across the country have begun a six-month intensive training to effectively report on Ghana�s burgeoning oil and gas sector. The training forms part of the �Empowering the Media to Play an Active Watchdog Role over Ghana�s Oil and Gas Revenues and Resources� project being undertaken by the International Institute of ICT Journalism (Penplusbytes) with funding and technical support from STAR-Ghana. The project aims to improve coverage of oil and gas stories by the media leading to an increase in the quantity and quality (in terms of in-depth and investigative reporting) of oil and gas stories to ensure that the media play an effective watchdog role. Speaking at the opening of the training in Accra on Tuesday, Mr Jeremiah Sam, Projects Director of Penplusbytes said �It will enable the journalists to gain more knowledge about the country�s oil and gas sector, improve their news gathering skills and be equipped with the ability to analyze and interpret data from the sector.� Mr Sam added that �The course will also enable the participating journalists to have a better understanding of the legal and policy framework governing the sector so that they are able to better inform the citizens and ensure good governance over the sector.� Albert Futukpor, one of the selected journalists from the Ghana News Agency (GNA) based in Tamale, described the training as: �A brilliant opportunity for me to upgrade my knowledge on the sector and to be able to write in-depth stories that will go a long way to inform citizens on the sector.� Mr Futukpor added that the training would also �Afford me a chance to gain actual knowledge on operations in the sector.� As part of activities, the participating journalists will undertake a field trip to the home of Ghana�s oil in the Western Region to have a first-hand experience of oil production. Penplusbytes will also organize forums across the country to discuss topical oil and gas issues as well as deploy a vibrant oil and gas website, which will serve as a platform for civil society organizations (CSOs) and journalists to engage one another. Penplusbytes is a Ghanaian CSO with the vision of driving excellence in Information Communication Technology Journalism. STAR-Ghana is a multi-donor pooled funding mechanism funded by DFID, DANIDA, EU and USAID to increase the influence of civil society and Parliament in the governance of public goods and service delivery with the ultimate goal of improving the accountability and responsiveness of Ghana's government, traditional authorities and the private sector.