GIJ new site: A myth or a talk shop?

The construction of the new site for the Ghana Institute of Journalism(GIJ) has become more of a tale than a reality. The new lecture hall complex project which began over 10 years ago is yet to be completed. Conversations about its completion has become more of a talk shop lacking a sense of urgency and readiness to finish it.

In 2001, allafrica.com reported that the Minister responsible for Media Relations, Ms.Elizabeth Ohene promised to ensure that GIJ will benefit from the National Education Fund to enable it finance its ongoing building project at its new site.

The Chairman of the GIJ Governing Council, Alhaji A.B.A Fuseini, in 2010 during the school's matriculation ceremony disclosed that Ghana Institute of Journalism (GIJ), through the Ministry of Education, has signed a memorandum of understanding with a Chinese consortium to facilitate the completion of structures at the university’s new site located at Okponglo in Accra.

In 2011, the then Rector, Mr.David Newton speaking to the Herald, as published by Ghanaweb.com said of the new site, "Work on the basement is completed except the fittings; the first floor has to be complete. When we finish with the first floor, we would start using the facility whilst they continue with subsequent floors”.

At a graduation ceremony in 2012 the then Rector Mr.David Newton is quoted as saying, "With the allocation of 4.9 million cedis by GETFUND, we hope to complete the four-storey classroom, which is under construction by the end of 2013.”

Then as reported by GhanaBussinessnews.Com, speaking at the inauguration of the new board in 2013, the then Deputy Minister for Education, Hon.Okudzeto Ablakwah pledged Government’s readiness to assist the Institute develop its new site at Adjiringano in order to accommodate its growing number of students.

In 2015, an attempt to salvage the situation and management from it's internally generated funds innovatively decided to put up the D block.An infrastructure which has helped in a very small way to accommodate the teeming number of students the Institute now have.

The Chief of Staff at the Presidency, Julius Debrah, in a speech read on his behalf by Elvis Afriyie Ankrah, Minister of State at the Presidency assured of government's support to the school financially towards early realization and completion of the school’s ongoing lecture hall complex project at its new site located at Dzorwulu, a suburb of Accra in March, 2016.

Professor Naana Jane Opoku-Agyemang, the Minister of Education, also in October 2016 said the construction of facilities at the new site of the Ghana Institute of Journalism at North Dzorwulu is at an advanced stage.It is about 65percent complete and provision has been made in the 2017 budget to see to its completion.

The project, which is being supported by the GETFund, she said, had a four -Storey Unit lecture hall, 350-Seater Auditorium, an Administration Block and other auxiliary structures.

Rector of GIJ at the time, Dr.Wilberforce Dzisah in September 2017 during a matriculation ceremony said, With the support and backing of the Council, we shall re-strategise as to possible funding options to adopt in order to fulfil this all-important and deserving vision. He assured new students of the Institute of the management’s commitment to get the hostel back on track once the new governing council is inaugurated.

Then on 23rd February 2018, speaking at the Third Congregation of the School of Graduate Studies and Research of the Institute, Dr Fosu said the constraints had left GIJ ‘hemmed in’ at its present campus with students, lecturers, administrative staff competing for the limited space.

It is more than obvious that the government has chosen to engage in talk shops on the matter of the new site. While students struggle for space so much that some have to sit in the hallways to listen to lectures.

While others struggle to find accommodation forcing them to travel long distances to school. It is long overdue for that project to be completed since it's benefits to students far outweigh any other thing.

As a General Secretary aspirant, I am of the view that it is time for the political will to be engaged for students of the Institute to find relief.