Mr. Fritz Baffour, Minister of Information on Friday said the Media had contributed greatly to the current democratic dispensation of the country to put Ghana on a high pedestal.

“That is why the NDC Government is ready to partner the media to transform journalism as a tool of development.”

Mr. Baffour made the observation when Mr. Gianni Merlo, President of the International Sports Press Association (AIPS) called on him in Accra.

He is in Ghana to participate in the 37th SWAG Awards ceremony on Saturday, June 9 which is scheduled for the Banquet Hall, State House.

Mr. Baffour said Ghana was a multi-disciplinary sporting nation but over the years, football had “swallowed” all other sporting events, stressing that efforts were being made to resuscitate other sports like volleyball and basketball.

He said sports has become an important national social event for Ghanaians and there was therefore the need to train and award deserving sportswriters for them to give off their best and give adequate and accurate coverage of sporting activities.

The Information Minister described the SWAG Awards as one of the most respected sporting events in the country.

Mr. Merlo said AIPS was there to inspire and mentor other sports journalists, particularly the young reporters in Africa, and announced that, selected journalists from Africa, including Ghana would be sent to Azerbaijan soon to participate in a training programme to learn new ways of reporting sporting events.

The AIPS President was accompanied by the Executive members of the Sports Writers Association of Ghana, (SWAG) led by its President, Ackah Anthony, the General Secretary, William Ezah and Treasurer, Ms Veronica Commey who formally invited the Sector Minister to the Awards ceremony. **