Empowering ethical journalism: ILO and University of Media, Arts, And Communication, Ghana partner to spotlight labour migration stories

In a heartfelt moment of shared purpose, the International Labour Organization (ILO) and the University of Media, Arts, and Communication (UniMAC), on March 7, 2025, joined forces to reshape journalism in Ghana, focusing on labour migration, fair recruitment, and forced labour. Through the signing of a historic Memorandum of Understanding (MoU), the partnership promises to amplify stories that matter and empower future media professionals to navigate these critical themes with integrity and humanity.

The signing ceremony, held at UniMAC’s bustling campus, brimmed with hope and vision as leaders from the ILO, UniMAC, and the media community gathered to witness this monumental step. Beyond formalities, the day was an ode to the power of storytelling to enact meaingful change.

This partnership is a leap forward—not just for UniMAC but for the entire media landscape in Ghana. We’re crafting a new era where journalism sheds light on labour migration with the compassion and fairness it deserves.

Professor Eric Opoku Mensah - University of Media, Arts, and Communication Vice-Chancellor

In her keynote address, Dr. Vanessa Phala, Director of the ILO Country Office for Nigeria, Ghana, Liberia, Sierra Leone and Liaison Office for ECOWAS, underscored the transformative potential of the partnership.

We are equipping the journalists of tomorrow with tools that will shape balanced narratives and break stereotypes, this is about igniting empathy and understanding through the stories we tell.

Dr. Vanessa Phala - Director of the ILO Country Office for Nigeria, Ghana, Liberia, Sierra Leone and Liaison Office for ECOWAS

The initiative is anchored in the practical implementation of tools like the ILO Global Media Toolkit into UniMAC’s curriculum—a move celebrated by the ILO FAIR III program’s National Project Coordinator, Mr. Kamil Abubakari. “This partnership ensures that young journalists are prepared from the ground up to tackle sensitive and critical topics with depth and care,” he remarked.

The program’s scope extends beyond the classroom, with plans unveiled by Dr. Daniel Odoom, Dean of the Faculty of Integrated Communication Sciences, to develop specialized modules, workshops, and hands-on training. These efforts reflect a lasting commitment to instilling a culture of human-centred journalism among faculty and students.

For UniMAC journalism students, the initiative represents more than academic advancement—it’s a personal cause. One student, Adama, expressed her excitement: “After meeting Ghanaian migrants on a flight to Kenya, I saw how powerful their untold stories are. This partnership means everything to me. It’s an opportunity to share real stories in a way that is honest, balanced, and truly informed.”

This collaboration is a beacon of hope, illustrating the vital role of the media in shaping informed public discourse and fair migration policies. By standing united, ILO and UniMAC are creating a future where every story is told with empathy, every migrant is seen with dignity, and every journalist becomes a voice for change.