The Institute of Journalism, University of Media Arts and Communication (UniMAC-IJ) joined hands with Penplusbytes, Ghana Commission for UNESCO, National Commission for Civic Education (NCCE) and other stakeholders to launch the 12th Global Media and Information Literacy (MIL) week on Tuesday 24th October 2023 in Kumasi.
Global MIL Week is an annual event instituted by UNESCO to highlight the importance of MIL and bring together actors such as universities, Civic Society Organizations (CSOs), media practitioners, state institutions and international development partners to promote media and information literacy collectively and consistently. The 2023 MIL week celebration in Ghana was launched at a brief ceremony organised by Penplusbytes with support from DW Akademie. The theme of the weeklong celebration was – MIL in digital spaces: A collective global agenda. It was the first time the Global MIL week was launched outside the national capital, Accra.
In his welcome address, the Executive Director of Penplusbytes, Mr Jerry Sam encouraged all to use MIL skills to combat information disorder and negative behaviour in digital spaces. “The digital space is where information spreads at an unprecedented pace, and we must encourage the use of media and information literacy competencies to counteract false information, cyberbullying, and other vices in the digital spaces”, he said.
Speaking at the event, Dr., Kodwo Anson Boateng, head of the Department of Integrated Social Sciences (DISS), UniMAC-IJ could not hide his pride in the Institute’s leading role in promoting MIL in Ghana. He pointed out that “UniMAC can proudly claim to be among the institutions that have spearheaded the deepening of MIL in Ghana”. Dr Boateng further seized the opportunity to thank all stakeholders for supporting UniMAC-IJ to promote MIL in diverse ways, including the inauguration of the student-led UniMAC MIL club.
Other dignitaries present at the launch included Madam Joan Nsowah, Communication and Information Programs officer, Ghana Commission for UNESCO, Mr Kingsley Hope, Ashanti Region President of the Ghana Journalists Association (GJA), and Madam Diana Bempong-Marfo, Head of Programmes, NCCE, Ashanti Region.
