rLG Communications Limited and the Private Newspaper Publishers Association (PRINPAG) have agreed to enter into a partnership to strengthen journalism in Ghana. The two institutions have consequently signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) to collaborate on wide range of areas including capacity building and an outreach for private newspaper outlets across the country.

A joint statement issued in Accra said rLG has agreed to generously provide funding for a number of interventions contained in the 2013 working document and plan of the umbrella body of private newspaper publishers, PRINPAG.

PRINPAG has lined up a number of activities including seminars for reporters, editors and newspaper owners, as well as an encounter with other professional bodies whose work impacts on institutions such as the Chartered Institute of Marketing Ghana (CIMG), the Advertising Association of Ghana (AAG), National Media Commission (NMC) and the Ghana Independent Broadcasters Association (GIBA) to brainstorm on best practices as well as ethics and regulations.

The collaboration will also facilitate PRINPAG’s participation in two international events, 2nd Turkey-Africa Media Forum in the Turkish capital, Ankara in May and the 65th Congress of the World Association of Newspapers in Bangkok, Thailand in June.

Commenting on the partnership, Group Head of Legal & Corporate Affairs, Prosper Harrison Addo said “as a proactive media friendly company, we feel obliged to offer support in any form to professional bodies such as PRINPAG to ensure standards are kept while providing them the opportunity to do what they do best.”

PRINPAG President and Editor-in-Chief of Daily Guide, Gina Blay welcomed the partnership, describing it as “an attempt to promote a common cause in building a vibrant and yet productive private press in an advancing democracy.”