The Ghana Journalists Association (GJA) and Wisconsin International University College, Ghana (WIUC-GH) have signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) on a scholarship scheme for journalists to undertake diploma and degree programmes in communication studies at the university.
The Chancellor of WIUC-GH, Dr Paul Kofi Fynn and the President of the GJA, Albert Kwabena Dwufour, signed the MoU Monday on behalf of their respective organisations.
Under the agreement, WIUC-GH will offer a full scholarship covering tuition to 10 members of the GJA every academic year to undertake diploma and degree programmes in communication studies at the university.
In addition to the full scholarship, the university will also offer a partial scholarship of 40 per cent covering tuition to members and non-members of the GJA to undertake diploma and degree programmes at the Wisconsin School of Communication Studies.
The MoU, which takes immediate effect, mandates the GJA to shortlist applicants for the scholarship (both full and partial) and submit the same to the university to benefit from the facility.
The three-year agreement is subject to renewal at the end of its expiration and is expected to enhance the professional development of GJA members in particular and media practitioners in general.
Admonitions
The scholarship facility is a promise made by the Chancellor of WIUC-GH in 2022 when members of the National Executive of the GJA paid a courtesy call on him after their election into office.
“This is the time to roll it out. Wisconsin is one of the best private universities in Ghana. We are happy to work with the GJA to offer this scholarship to journalists,” Dr Fynn said.
He admonished the leadership of the GJA to ensure fairness in the selection of beneficiaries for the scholarship, adding that it should not be based on friendship and any form of favouritism but instead focus on qualified individuals who are needy.
On his part, Mr Dwumfour thanked the Chancellor of WIUC-GH for the gesture, noting that the scholarship would ensure professionalism and high journalistic standards among members as enshrined in the GJA Constitution.
“We see today’s programme as very historic. We are aware the media will be pleased about this.
“One thing I can assure you of as a legacy regime is to work towards enhancing professionalism and high journalistic standards,” he said.
The Acting Dean of the School of Communication Studies at WIUC-GH, Mrs Baaba Cofie, said she was excited about the scholarship scheme because it would help build the capacity of journalists.
She commended the Chancellor of WIUC-GH and GJA for undertaking such a “historic” initiative.
Present at the ceremony was the Chairman of the University Council and former Court of Appeal Judge, Justice Isaac Duose.
Procedure for accessing scholarship
Interested persons who wish to benefit from the scholarship facility may first apply for admission at WIUC-GH and upon receipt of the admission letter, apply for the scholarship facility.
Applicants can obtain a scholarship application form from the GJA Website at www.gja.org and after completing it, submit same to the GJA Secretariat.
The applications will then be vetted after which the applicants, whether successful or not, would be duly informed about the outcome of their application.
The National Executive of the GJA encourages all members of the Association to take full advantage of the scholarship facility