The Acting Rector of the Ghana Institute of Journalism, GIJ, Dr. Modestus Fosu has indicated that the school is in dire need of infrastructural facilities, as it has not received satisfactory assistance from government over a number of years.
Delivering his speech at the Third Congregation of the School of Graduate Studies and Research, the new rector explained that although the Institute has made efforts to provide lecture halls, and office spaces through internally generated funds, infrastructural development remains a worry as lecturers, students and non-teaching staff struggle for space in the current Four-storey block.
"The four-storey block tells the story of GIJ's twists and turns in our desire and struggle for expansion and a breathing space...In fact, GIJ as a public institution has not received satisfactory government assistance for infrastructural development to match its transformation from a second cycle institution to a tertiary one.",the acting rector stated.
Dr. Fosu further stated that previous government administrations have promised resources for funding the development at the Institute's new site at North Dzorwulu but the move has still not materialized.
"Indeed, government had voted an initial four million, nine hundred Ghana cedis, GHc4.9 million for work on our new site. But, except for a solitary block without any fittings, there is currently nothing of importance on that land. From all indications, work has come to a standstill since GET-Fund's allocation for the completion of the project at the site appears to have been exhausted.", he said.
According to him, the Ghana Institute of Journalism needs more lecture halls to accommodate the expanding academic programmes, support to build a library complex befitting a contemporary university, as well as hostel facilities for students who have suffered immensely due to the lack of accommodation in the school and its environs.
The rector, on behalf of the entire institute, has pleaded with government and other education-loving individuals, bodies, agencies, and institutions to come to their aid to raise an estimated GHc14 million which will enable the school complete the project at its new site.
The ceremony, which was held at the forecourt of the Ghana Institute of Journalism was to confer Master of Arts degrees on a total of 178 graduating students. The congregation was scheduled to take place on the 16th February 2018 but took place on Friday, 23rd February 2018 with the theme, "Communication as a catalyst for National Development".