The Ghana Institute of Journalism (GIJ) at the weekend awarded 1,290 students with Degree and Diploma programmes in Journalism and Public Relations with a call on journalists to acquaint themselves the global political economy.

The ceremony, which was the thirteenth of the communication university, falls within its 60 years anniversary celebration and graduated 821 Degree students as against 469 Diploma students.

Mr Cameron Duodo, a veteran journalist who made the call, said it is imperative for all African journalists to undertake a thorough self-education in the political economy as it opens up the mind to understand and appreciate issues.

He said it is imperative on the side of the educated African to understand the subject matter because “if you don’t understand how the world economy really works and how it is rigged against our continent- you know nothing”. Mr Duodo said African journalists, serving as spokesperson for many people, have been cheated of a fair living wage, hence the need to educate themselves towards gaining the ability to explain inflation and fluctuations in commodity prices among others.

He said African journalists ought to also gain the understanding to explain to the public the effects of shell companies that escape being taxed in the poor countries by operating shadow headquarters in tax havens etc.

Mr Duodo said it when the citizenry fully understand the above things then they would regain the self-confidence to express themselves on prevailing issues affecting them.

He urged the graduates to be accurate in their professional practice as they go out into the world of work because accuracy and interesting facts were the major keys that would endear them to the reader.

Mr Duodo said urged the graduates to try and develop their own distinctive style of presenting facts and stick to it adding that no one should be able to “suppress the way you write, unless they are very good writers themselves”.

He urged the graduates to remain objective and balanced in the delivery of facts noting that apart from speed and accuracy, it was balance that enhanced his reports.

Professor Kwamena Kwansah-Aidoo, the Rector of GIJ, said the batch were likely to be the last batch of students to graduate from the independent degree-awarding tertiary education institution called GIJ as government has announced plans of merger with the National Film and Television Institute and the Ghana Institute of Language to form the University of Media, Arts and Communications.

He said the 2019 batch of students was a group full of prospects for the industry adding that: “they are poised to make an important contribution to the communication industry specifically, and to the nation as a whole”. Prof Kwansah-Aidoo said as part of the University’s ambition to radically expand its programme offerings across the faculties and departments, it would soon add some programmes to the existing degree programmes which come with two elective professional courses of Journalism and Public Relations.

He said work was ongoing to add seven more programmes to the undergraduate sector, which include: Events Management and Sponsorship; Journalism with elective specialization tracks in Political Reporting, Economic Reporting, and Sports Reporting.

Others include Environmental Communication; Media and Culture; Integrated Marketing; Strategic Communication; and Rhetorical and Public Discourse. Prof Kwansah-Aidoo urged graduates to use the education and training gained from the University to positively affect the world and strive for excellence and professionalism, making diligence, discipline and determination a hallmark in the field of work.