10 Ghanaian journos attend ST&I reporting training in London
Ten Ghanaian journalists have arrived at the Imperial College London, for a three-day training programme in Science, Technology, and Innovation (ST&I) reporting.
This initiative was made possible by the British High Commission Accra, in collaboration with the Responsible AI Lab (RAIL) at Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology (KNUST) and the Ministry of Environment, Science, and Technology (MEST).
These journalists had earlier emerged victorious in a pitch competition during a week-long capacity-building workshop held in Accra, earning them a spot in the further training at Imperial College London.
The training, which commenced on Monday, March 24, 2025, provided the journalists with a unique, immersive learning experience.
With access to Imperial College London’s cutting-edge research facilities and expert faculty, the journalists were poised to gain invaluable insights into global science communication trends, innovative research, and collaborative opportunities that would revolutionise ST&I reporting in Ghana.
Professor Majid Ezzati, Professor of Global Environmental Health and Academic Director at Imperial College London, warmly welcomed the delegation and introduced them to Imperial Global Ghana, a regional hub launched in November 2024 to strengthen research, education, and innovation collaborations across West Africa.
Dr Leon Barron, Head of the Emerging Chemical Contaminants Team at Imperial’s Environmental Research Group, provided an in-depth overview of the group’s work, highlighting ongoing research in clean air monitoring and sustainable solutions in Ghana.
The journalists also had the privilege of meeting with Professor Hugh Brady, President of Imperial College London, who reiterated the university’s commitment to real-world problem-solving through interdisciplinary collaboration.
He emphasized the importance of science journalists in amplifying research impact and encouraged them to explore opportunities for collaboration between Imperial College London and Ghanaian institutions.
Throughout the training programme, the journalists participated in interactive workshops and practical sessions, including a visit to the Polymateria Laboratory, home to the world’s first biodegradable technology capable of fully breaking down polypropylene (PP) and polyethylene (PE) materials.
They also engaged in a networking session with Ghanaian master’s and doctoral students at Imperial College London, exchanging ideas on science communication and opportunities for collaboration.
A workshop led by Dr Stephen Webster, Senior Lecturer in Science Communication, and Ehsan Masood, Bureau Chief (Editorials, Africa and the Middle East) at Nature, a science magazine, sparked lively discussions on the role of science journalists in Ghana, cultural differences in science reporting, and best practices in science communication from the UK perspective.
Additionally, the journalists had an interesting interaction with officials at the Science Media Centre, an independent press office for science.
The centre’s mission is to make it easy for journalists to access the best science, ensuring that more scientists engage with the media and helping to raise standards in science reporting and communication.
Armed with new skills, knowledge, and connections, the journalists are expected to return home equipped to tell compelling stories that showcase the latest scientific research and innovations, inspiring a new generation of scientists, innovators, and entrepreneurs in Ghana.
FROM KINGSLEY E. HOPE, LONDON, UK (COURTESY BRITISH HIGH COMMISSION/RAIL/KNUST)
