IJM certifies second Cohort of Young Journalists Fellowship (YJF)
By Christabel Oboshie ANNAN, Accra
The International Justice Mission (IJM) Ghana, has given certification to 16 journalists after completing the second Cohort of its Young Journalists Fellowship Programme (YJFP).
The cohort had 16 fellows from print, TV, radio, and online media houses taken through eight months of intensive training on child trafficking, which better positioned them to report on the issue effectively.
The fellowship began with a one-day workshop in December introducing the fellows to IJM’s work, the human trafficking law, the role of journalists in ending human trafficking, and how to write creatively as journalists.
Over the course of the fellowship programme, the fellows participated in seven online coaching sessions and cohort discussions.
Some topics that were covered in the trainings included trauma-informed reporting, survivor interviewing skills, creative writing, the role of journalists in ending human trafficking, media sustainability, excellence in journalism: what it takes, ethics in human trafficking reportage, and the nature of human trafficking in Ghana.
Country Director of IJM – Ghana, Anita Budu, said during the closing ceremony that the essence of the programme was to equip young journalists to proactively engage in reporting on human trafficking.
She stated that it is a part of IJM Ghana’s efforts to maintain a strategic partnership with journalists and media organisations and to raise public awareness of human trafficking through the use of the media.
She noted that some relevant topics such as court reporting, fact checking, creating an impactful media campaign and other topics were discussed during the fellowship programme.
Anita expressed her happiness that fellows learned to work together and network with one another throughout the year to obtain knowledge for their projects.
She added that she hopes the fellows’ passion and pursuit for justice will not end with the fellowship programme.
“It’s my hope that the seeds that have been sown throughout the year will propel you to use your platform to spread awareness on the issue of human trafficking,” she stressed.
After the programme, the Most Outstanding Justice Advocate award went to Victoria Agyeman of the Ghana News Agency (GNA), while the Outstanding Fellow award went to Patience Tawiah Sewurah of Beyond FM and GNA.
Abigail Nana Efua Arthur of Citi FM/Citi TV was also awarded for constantly writing stories about the online sessions held for the fellows.
Victoria Agyeman, the Most Outstanding Justice Advocate, expressed her excitement at receiving the honour of being named the Fellowship’s most outstanding fellow.
She noted that growing up, she had always wanted to fight human trafficking and to support women and children.
“So IJM coming up, I felt it was the opportunity for me to learn more and advocate for issues concerning human trafficking, children and women,” she added.
She promised to work more in the future to promote issues involving women and children, and urged young journalists to put their passions before the meagre pay that comes with their line of work.
The year-long fellowship was themed: “Equipping the Media to Be Partners in Ending Human Trafficking in Ghana.”
The fellows are Victoria Agyeman, Ghana News Agency; Patience Tawiah Sewurah, Beyond FM and GNA, Christabel Oboshie Annan, The Finder; Abigail Nana Efua Arthur; Citi FM/Citi TV, Stanley Awalime, GNA; Faisel Iddrisu, GHOne Tv; Harriet Achiaah Osei, Multimedia Group Limited (Adom TV/FM) and Amos Kwofie, Multimedia Group Limited (Adom TV/FM).
The rest are Godslove Angela Nhyira Kwabi, Ghana Broadcasting Corporation (Uniq FM); Evelyn Araba Aidoo, GHOne Tv; Rudolph Nandi, Crime Check Ghana; Joseph Gien Eredon , Zami reports; Priscilla Gyiwah , B. Inspired with stories from Africa ( B.ISA); Nicholas Ekow Yamoah, Multimedia Group Limited ( Joy TV/FM ); Justice Agbenorsi, Daily Graphic and Lydia Ezit, The Mirror Newspaper.
