AUCC inaugrates research centre for journalists

Published in the Daily Graphic on 9/12/2009, pg 11

Story: Matilda Attram
THE African University College of Communications (AUCC) in Accra, has inaugurated a new research centre for journalists to improve on their skills of reportage in communication technology.
The Centre for Radiocommunication Research and Development, is expected to train journalists on the characteristics of radio, how it works, its policies, laws and regulations involved in the use of radio spectrum.
It is also required to encourage journalists to take interest in communication technology research to help give accurate information to the public.
The centre through its seminars, workshops and courses will again train graduates and undergraduate students whose fields of study were related to radio communication studies.
The Director of the centre and Former Director-General of the National Communications Authority (NCA), Major John Ray Kwabena Tandoh, told the Daily Graphic that the centre was to provide training on accurate measurement of data on radiowaves propagation in the sub-Saharan West Africa.
He added that “Instead of relying on data obtained from different climate regions in the world, especially from Europe and America which has different climatic and atmospheric conditions which are quite different from us, the centre which is the first to be established in the sub-Saharan African region can help us measure ours”.
He further stated that AUCC in collaboration with the Ministry of Communication, the National Communications Authority, the Ghana Meteorological Agency and the International Communications Union was ready to establish itself as a research centre for radiowaves propagation measurement campaigns that would help acquire data for the successful planning and co-ordination of various radiocommunication services in the country and Africa.
In a remark, the President of AUCC, Mr Kojo Yankah said the establishment of the centre was to identify research studies on climate change as well as enhance quality training on communicating the impact of climate change when necessary.
In his speech delivered during the launch of the centre, the Minister of Communications, Mr Haruna Iddrisu, pointed out that radio spectrum was an important natural resource in the public domain which had enhanced the development of man in the twenty-first century.
He said the spectrum was used in many different ways but was common to broadcasting and mobile communication services adding that “The spectrum stands in constant readiness to continue fulfilling man’s increasing utilisation within its physical limitations”.
The minister, therefore, expressed the hope for the centre to help continue with the work of improving research in radio spectrum.