Journalists Told To Specialise In Chosen Fields

Journalists have been advised to consider specialising in chosen fields rather than being general journalists.The General Manager of the Ghana News Agency (GNA), Dr Bernard Otabil, gave the advice at the opening of a two-day training workshop in oil and gas and in financial reporting for selected media personnel in Accra. According to him, specialisation would ensure quality and reliable information to the citizenry, and that would aid them in making informed choices. �The training is part of events and activities scheduled towards the celebrations of the 57th birthday anniversary of the GNA that fall on March 5,� he said. Training Workshop The training workshop was an initiative of the GNA in partnership with Tullow Oil. Dr Otabil said the meeting was part of efforts at rebranding the agency as a vibrant news agency, leading in the dissemination of news worldwide. According to him, most people have questioned the relevance of the agency in modern times, especially with the influx of various competitive private wire service agencies and media houses. Benefits of oil and gas training The Managing Director, EnerWise Africa, Research and Consultancy firm, Dr Joe Asamoah, said the training for media personnel would assist them to understand issues in the oil and gas sector better to write informed reports on it. Currently, the Ghana National Petroleum Corporation (GNPC) partners are exploring for oil and gas in four main oil sites, comprising the Voltarian basin, Accra-Keta basin, Saltpond Central basin and the Tano basin. He explained that the Voltarian basin covered Volta, Eastern, Brong Ahafo, Ashanti, Northern and Upper East regions. He, however, expressed concern about pollution of water bodies by mining and oil-drilling companies and urged journalists to intervene by exposing such issues and help find solutions to them. Participants� reactions Some participants told the Daily Graphic that the workshop had been very revealing and educative. According to participants, they had been equipped to monitor and question activities in the oil and gas industry.