By Michael Foli Jackidy
Ho (V/R), Oct. 28, GNA – The Ho Technical University (HTU) has commissioned a Communication and Media Technology Laboratory on Tuesday to strengthen practical training and equip students with industry-relevant skills in journalism, broadcasting, digital media production and communication.
The facility, designed primarily for students of the Department of Applied Modern Languages and Communication, features modern audio-visual equipment to support television production, podcasting, interviews, live broadcasts and digital content creation.
It is also expected to promote research, innovation, interdisciplinary collaboration and public engagement while preparing students for the evolving demands of the media industry.
Mr George Sarpong, the Executive Secretary of the National Media Commission (NMC) and guest of honour, said the facility offered students an opportunity to develop the technical and intellectual capabilities required to succeed in a rapidly changing media environment.
He encouraged the students to master both communication content and the technologies used to produce and distribute it, noting that artificial intelligence and digital platforms were transforming how information was created and shared.
Mr Sarpong said effective media professionals needed not only technical skills in camera operation, podcast production, video editing and live broadcasting, but also an understanding of human behaviour, culture, ethics and the consequences of their work.
He urged the students to collaborate with engineering students and lecturers to deepen their understanding of communication technologies.
He also stressed the importance of accuracy and ethical responsibility, urging students to verify information before publication, distinguish evidence from speculation, respect the people whose stories they told and disclose uncertainty when facts were incomplete.
“A false claim can travel further than the correction,” he cautioned, adding that media practitioners must resist the temptation to sacrifice accuracy for attention.
Mr Sarpong said the NMC remained committed to supporting free, independent and pluralistic media in Ghana and pledged to return to the university to support seminars on media ethics, media law and mass media theory, as well as production activities.
Prof Ben Honyenuga, the Vice-Chancellor of HTU, said the establishment of the laboratory reflected the university’s commitment to practical, career-focused education and the development of competent graduates.
He said the facility would bridge the gap between classroom learning and professional practice by providing students with opportunities to experiment, develop technical proficiency and gain confidence in real-world media production.
Prof Honyenuga said the university admitted its first cohort of students into the Bachelor of Arts in Communication and Applied Media Technology programme during the 2024/2025 academic year, with their initial practical training taking place at Volta Premier FM, the university’s radio station.
He said the experience reinforced the need for a dedicated laboratory where students could acquire hands-on skills and improve their professional competence.
The Vice-Chancellor said the facility would also support other departments, including Electrical and Electronics Engineering, Information Technology and Industrial Arts, as well as the university’s public communication activities.
He urged the department and technical teams to ensure the effective management, maintenance and utilisation of the laboratory to maximise its benefits.
Prof Deodat Adenutsi, the Dean of the Faculty of Applied Social Sciences, said the laboratory would strengthen the connection between intellectual inquiry and professional practice.
He said the facility should help students produce accurate, creative and accessible content while developing critical thinking, verification skills and ethical responsibility in an environment increasingly influenced by digital platforms, artificial intelligence and misinformation.
Prof Adenutsi said the laboratory could also support applied research, student entrepreneurship and collaboration with media organisations, public institutions and communities.
He encouraged students to approach their training with curiosity, discipline and a willingness to learn from criticism, stressing that the quality of their work would depend on both the questions they asked and the evidence they examined.
Dr Harrison Adjimah, the Head of Department of Applied Modern Languages and Communication, said the university recognised the need to invest in appropriate facilities to position its Communication and Applied Media Technology programme competitively.
He said digital technology was transforming news reporting, information dissemination and content creation, making hands-on training essential for students preparing to enter the media industry.
Dr Adjimah said the laboratory was equipped with a dedicated television production section for newscasting, interviews and live programmes, as well as a podcasting section for high-quality audio recording and discussions.
The facility also had professional cameras, lighting systems, microphones, sound mixers, editing suites, drones for aerial cinematography, field-recording equipment, a 10-input video mixer for live production and streaming, and an interactive screen to enhance teaching and learning.
He said the laboratory would enable students and staff to create content for traditional broadcasting and digital platforms while supporting teaching, research and public engagement across the university.
The commissioning ceremony also featured the inauguration of the HTU chapter of the Ghana Journalists Association (GJA), which would operate through the Communication and Applied Media Technology Students Association (CAMTSA).
The initiative is expected to promote professional values and nurture future journalists and communication practitioners.
Dr Adjimah expressed appreciation to the university management, faculty members, technical teams and other stakeholders whose contributions made the facility possible.
He said the department was committed to developing the programme into one of the leading communication and media technology programmes in the country.
GNA
Edited by Maxwell Awumah/Benjamin Mensah