Ghana Institute of Journalism


The Ghana Institute of Journalism is a Public university in Ghana. The institute has accreditation from the National Accreditation Board.

History

The Ghana Institute of Journalism was established on 16 October 1959 by Kwame Nkrumah, the first president of Ghana.
Kwame Nkrumah had a vision to train a patriotic cadre corps of journalists to play an effective role in the emancipation of the African continent hence established the Ghana Institute of Journalism.
The school was formally called School of Journalism which was a department at the Accra Technical Institute now Accra Technical University. The school had Mr Richard McMillan who was then due for retirement as the Director of the British Information Services in Ghana as its first principal and journalism tutor.
In 1974, the National Redemption Council passed a legislative instrument formally establishing the Ghana Institute of Journalism. The decree set as objects of the Institute the following:
a) To train young men and women in the skills and techniques of journalism, mass communication, advertising and public relations.
b) To organise classes, lectures, seminars, demonstrations, experiments, researches and practical training in all aspects of journalism and mass communication.

University charter

The school got its presidential charter establishing it as a university in 2009. The charter allowed the institute to self exist with the ability to award its own certificates, diplomas and degrees for its accredited programmes. This has severed the institute's affiliation with the University of Ghana.

Directors/Rectors

Mr. Richard McMillan served as the first principal of the Ghana Institute of Journalism. In 1959 when GIJ was established, he was then retiring as Director of British Information Services in Ghana. Mr. McMillan, who also taught journalism, served for three years as principal — until 1962. Today the GIJ library is named the Richard McMillan Library in honour of the Institute's first principal.
NAMEDURATON
Prof. Kwamena Kwansah-Aidoo2018-
Dr. Modestus Fosu2018
Dr. W.S.K Dzisah2014-2018
Mr. David Newton2009-2014
Mr. Kweku Rockson2006-2009
Mr. David Newton1993-2006
Mr. Kojo Yankah1984-1993
Mr. Kwame Duffour1983-1984
Mr. Kabral Blay Amihere1982-1983
Mr. R. Quartey1979-1982
Mr. G. F. Dove1973-1978
Mr. Fred Agyeman1969-1973
Mr. Martin Tay1968-1969
Mr. W.G. Smith1965-1966
Mr. Cecil Forde1963-1965
Mr. Sam Arthur1962-1963

Programmes

The school runs Diploma, Bachelor of Arts and Masters programmes.
The Diploma Programme is a 2-year programme consists of communication, social sciences and arts subjects.
The Bachelor of Arts programme is a 4-year programme with options of specializing in either Journalism or Public Relations.
The Masters Programmes is a 1-year programme with options to specialise in Public Relations, Journalism, Media Management and Development Communication.