By Edward Acquah, GNA
Accra, Aug. 5, GNA – The Ghana News Agency (GNA) and Russia’s Sputnik Information Agency have signed a cooperation agreement to strengthen news exchange, journalist training and media collaboration.
The Memorandum of Cooperation establishes a framework for collaboration in content sharing, professional development and knowledge exchange between the two state-owned news agencies.
The agreement was signed virtually on Wednesday by Mr Albert Kofi Owusu, General Manager of the GNA, and Mr Vasily Pushkov, Director of International Cooperation at Rossiya Segodnya Media Group, founder of Sputnik Information Agency. Mr Andrei Ordash, the Russian Ambassador to Ghana, witnessed the signing.
It provides for the exchange of news stories, features, interviews, photographs and multimedia content, while granting both organisations access to selected editorial materials for publication.
The agreement also covers joint reporting on major events in Ghana, Russia and other countries of mutual interest, co-production of documentaries and special reports, and cooperation in facilitating journalists’ access to information, experts and sources.
The two organisations will collaborate on professional development programmes for journalists, editors, producers and digital content creators in multimedia storytelling, data
journalism, artificial intelligence-assisted journalism and digital newsroom operations.
The memorandum further provides for the exchange of expertise in newsroom management, audience engagement and emerging media technologies, as well as exchange visits, study tours, conferences and other professional engagements.
Speaking at the virtual signing ceremony, Mr Ordash described the agreement as an important addition to the growing cooperation between Ghana and Russia, saying collaboration between state news agencies had become increasingly significant in an era of misinformation and global information competition.
He said the partnership would promote balanced reporting and enable the peoples of both countries to gain a better understanding of each other’s societies, cultures and development.
Mr Owusu described the agreement as the beginning of a mutually beneficial relationship built on shared objectives, innovation and professional excellence.
He said journalist exchange programmes and first-hand reporting would help improve understanding between the two countries while supporting broader cooperation between Ghana and Russia.
Mr Pushkov said Sputnik was ready to host Ghanaian journalists under its professional training programmes and other cultural exchange initiatives, noting that stronger collaboration among media organisations was essential to improving international reporting and correcting misconceptions about countries.
The Ghana News Agency, established in 1957, is Ghana’s national news wire service. It
provides news and information to local and international media, public institutions and other stakeholders.
Rossiya Segodnya Media Group is Russia’s state-owned international media organisation and the parent organisation of Sputnik, which publishes news, radio and digital content in multiple languages for international audiences.
GNA
Edited by Kenneth Sackey
Reporter: Edward Acquah
[email protected]