Professional Excellence in Ghana: Media and Engineering Sectors Bolster Safety and Ethics

In a significant push for professional excellence in Ghana, two major sectors—media and engineering—have taken bold steps to enhance safety, ethics, and operational standards. Investigative journalist Anas Aremeyaw Anas, lead of Tiger Eye P.I., has called for media practitioners to rigorously upgrade their skills to navigate the increasingly complex and dangerous landscape of modern journalism. This plea came during a five-day intensive training session in Accra, designed to equip 15 journalists from across the West African sub-region with critical safety and risk management techniques. Supported by the Embassy of the Netherlands and the Open Society Foundation, the program reflects a growing regional commitment to protecting the "fourth estate" amidst evolving security threats. The media training, organized by the Whistleblowers and Journalists Safety International Centre (WAJSIC) in collaboration with UK-based Lazarus Training Limited, focused on practical survival and preparedness. Facilitators Glen Littmoden and Steven Richardson led sessions on pre-deployment planning, risk assessment, and communication security. Participants were trained in anti-surveillance techniques and first aid, emphasizing that collective learning and adaptability are essential for those working in hostile environments. Mr. Anas highlighted that as the nature of investigative journalism shifts, the tools used to protect those uncovering the truth must also evolve to ensure both safety and professional efficacy. Simultaneously, the Ghana Institution of Engineering (GhIE) has significantly expanded the nation's technical capacity by inducting 194 new Professional Engineers. During ceremonies held at the Engineering Centre in Accra, 188 candidates were recognized following rigorous standard examinations, while four others were inducted via professional experience confirmation. The new cohort comprises 77 Civil, 43 Mechanical, 26 Chemical, and 46 Electrical Engineers, along with specialists in Agricultural, Marine, and Mining disciplines. GhIE President Ludwig Annang Hesse urged the inductees to uphold the highest levels of competence and integrity, reminding them that their expertise is the primary defense against the country's pressing infrastructure challenges. Addressing the recent spate of building collapses in Accra, President Hesse characterized these incidents as avoidable tragedies rooted in regulatory failures and poor enforcement. He challenged the new engineers to move beyond technical proficiency and embrace a culture of accountability and public safety. To prevent future disasters, the GhIE is advocating for a national agenda that includes comprehensive structural audits of abandoned and aging buildings. By fostering a workforce dedicated to continuous learning and ethical practice, both the GhIE and media stakeholders are signaling a new era of professional discipline aimed at safeguarding the lives and assets of the Ghanaian public.