Deputy Information Minister, Pius Enam Hadzide says plans are far advanced to provide scholarships and other support for Journalists across the country who are willing to seek higher education.

The World on Sunday May 3 celebrated World Press Freedom Day. In Ghana, Journalists regardless of the work they do are one of the poorly paid people in the country.

There has been concerns about the need for government to provide some form of support for Privately owned media organizations so that Journalists are provided with the best working conditions and salaries to commensurate the work they do.

Speaking on Accra-based Okay FM, Pius Enam Hadzide said government appreciates and acknowledges the work done by Journalists and all media personalities in the country in the fight against Galamsey and even informing Ghanaians on the Coronavirus.

He said that the government has the welfare of Journalists in the country at heart and will, therefore, roll out some initiatives to make the profession attractive.

Pius Hadzide said the government is working on collaborating with the Ghana Journalists Association(GJA), Ghana Independent Broadcasters Association, National Media Commission and other stakeholders in the media fraternity to roll out a programme which will allow for media personalities to seek further studies and also specialize in their field.

He said one leg of the programme which has been dubbed “Media Capacity Enhancement Programme” will give support to any media personality who seeks higher education and this programme will be spearheaded by the leadership of the various stakeholders in the media fraternity.

“With where I stand, I can tell you that government has the welfare of Media Personalities at heart. Government is working with GJA, GIBA and other stakeholders to institute the media capacity enhancement programme where the government will look for money for there stakeholder bodies to provide support to Journalists who seek further education.”

Speaking on salaries and other emoluments, the Minister took note of the fact that the Ghanaian media space is dominated by Private Media Firms and therefore media owners will be educated on the need to pay their Journalists well because they occupy very sensitive positions in the country.

The Deputy Information Minister noted that Journalism can be practiced at its best if a conducive environment is created for Journalists and government has taken note of that and through another leg of the support for Journalists dubbed 'Coordinated Mechanism for Safety of Journalists' which is to be run by the National Media Commission will ensure the safety of Journalists in Ghana.