SWAG/AIPS Africa holds seminar for Sports Journalists

The Sports Writers Association of Ghana (SWAG) and International Sports Press Association (AIPS), Africa, has held a one day seminar for sports journalists in Ghana.

The seminar, which had the theme “Raising the bar for today’s women’s sports journalists” was held at the Swiss Spirit Hotel and Suites Alisa and had over 100 journalists drawn from host, Ghana, Mali, Nigeria . Cameroon and South Africa as well as guests from the Confederation Africaine de Football (CAF).

Madam Rosalind Amoh, a veteran sports journalist and football administrator, took participants through the past, present and future of African football, whilst Mitchell Obi, President of AIPS Africa who stood in for lead resource person Aisha Falode exposed participants to the exploits of some female sports journalists on the continent and the prospects.

Mr. Obi, was also on hand to deliver an insightful package on the ethics of  sports journalism, the challenges of today’s sports journalists and how to deal with them.

Mr. Isaac Kwame Asiamah, the Minister of Youth and Sports, who opened the seminar, said his Ministry  is ready to enter into viable partnership with sports journalists to find lasting solutions to the lack of interest and adequate publicity for women’s sports in Ghana and on the continent.

He said the low level of publicity for the ongoing Total Africa women Cup of Nations (AWCON 2018), had not helped attract the required public interest and attention.

“Officials have literally bus people to the stadium to occupy almost empty space. Sports journalists have not shown the same interest in women’s football as they do for their male counterparts,” he added.

Mr. Kwabena Yeboah, President of SWAG said he was happy to having a partnership with AIPS Africa that has over the years created learning opportunities for young journalists from Ghana

According to Mrs. Amoh, though there is  so much pressure and challenges for female sports journalists, they still need to cultivate   the right attitude and focus. “You  need to know who you are as a person and what you stand for  to achieve.

“There has always been discrimination in the execution of our duties as females, but with the right mental fortitude and determination, it is easy to get noticed for all the good reasons, earning you the necessary respect” she added.

Mr. Obi on his part urged sports journalists to uphold the highest standards of the profession, remain firm in the dispensation of their duties.

He said all journalists have interest, but that interest must not conflict  with their personal interest.

Sports journalism has not changed, but the tools to practice it have changed with technology.

“We must therefore make good of the tools in the practice of the profession but this must be done with circumspection.sincerity and sense of balance as the slightest offensive write up may destroy the careers or lives of people” Obi pointed out.

The seminar which took place in the final week of the WAFCON in which defending  champions Nigeria will face South Africa in a Saturday final tinged with revenge is the first of programmes put together to celebrate 50 years of Ghana’s SportsWriters Association (SWAG). The Association will host the AIPS AFRICA congress in Accra next year.