Responding to a pressing need to improve telecommunications reporting in Ghana, the Media Foundation for West Africa (MFWA) in partnership with mobile telecoms giant, MTN Ghana has embarked on a project aimed at enhancing telecoms reporting in Ghana. MTN and MFWA launched the project at the International Press Centre on February 27, 2012.

The goal of the project is to enhance the media's role in creating public awareness to foster greater public interest and contribute to issues relating to telecommunications operations.

Professor Kwame Karikari, Executive Director, Media Foundation for West Africa said, "we believe the project is a unique opportunity for the journalists to learn and explore new concepts about the ever growing and changing telecommunications industry".

Despite significant contribution of the telecom sector to the development of Ghana, the media's coverage of the industry over the years hasve remained very low.

Corporate Services Executive Cynthia Lumor said, "The telecommunications industry plays a key role in the development of our country, contributing in diverse ways, not just in our social interactions, but also to the economy, our very existence. Because the telecom industry plays this vital role, it is important for the public to understand the industry...".

She said, "The project is also geared towards encouraging specialization among journalists in Ghana".

The project will therefore help fill gaps by building the capacity of selected journalists to enhance their knowledge and skills for more effective coverage of the industry in Ghana.

Most importantly, the project will include consultation, meeting and signing of Memorandums of Understanding to encourage media managers to designate telecoms reporters in their respective media.

Activities of the project will include a four-day intensive skills and knowledge based workshop, experiential tours, practical stories productions by trainees and post-periodic training review sessions, to asses and evaluate these stories.