GCPI will organize a training program to enhance the skills of Ghanaian journalists in investigative reporting. The program will comprise formal lectures, case studies and site visits to institutions of vertical and horizontal accountability in Ghana.

During the program, participants will be taught the techniques of investigative reporting and also learn how to use the World Wide Web to conduct independent research. 30 journalists are expected to participate in the program.

Site visits will be made to the Commission on Human Rights and Administrative Justice (CHRAJ), The Serious Fraud Office (SFO), the Bureau of National Investigations (BNI), the Ghana Police Service, The Public Accounts Committee of Parliament and the Ghana Integrity Initiative, (GII). The Site visits will enable the participants to learn from the perspectives of these institutions and discuss parallels to investigative reporting

To qualify for the training program, participants should have practised for a minimum of three years. Applicants should be in current employment working in either the print or electronic media and must demonstrate a commitment to investigative journalism. Applicants are also expected to submit a written biography, a statement (not more than one page) detailing of how the programme will contribute to enhancing their career.

The application process will begin with a press conference by the Ghana Journalists Association (GJA) to announce the program to its members. This will be followed by an advertisement in two of the highest circulating national newspapers.

Applications will be screened by the GCPI to ensure that applicants meet the minimum requirements. A selection committee who will meet and shortlist applicants will do selection. Successful applicants will then receive a letter from GCPI and will be expected to confirm their participation in the program within two weeks. Confirmation could be done either by fax, telephone or email.

Resource persons will include IT specialists, investigative journalists at the Centre, lecturers from the School of Communication Studies, University of Ghana, Legon, Investigators from the Serious Fraud office (SFO), the Bureau of National Investigations, (BNI), the Commission for Human Rights and Administrative Justice, (CHRAJ) and Ghana Integrity Initiative (GII), and the Ghana Police Service.

The duration of the program is one week

Application process is expected to begin in April 1, 2003 and be completed by June 31, 2003. (Program date is subject to change)

Upon completion of the program, participants would be awarded certificates of participation.

The GCPI will conduct a one-year post training-monitoring program. The purpose of this program is to monitor how effectively the course has helped participants to improve the quality of reporting. Monitoring and evaluation will be parallel.

The Library and ITC projects will require support. The nature of support needed for this project is twofold. The first is financial support; the second is donations in kind. For this kind of support, donations such as computers, journalism books, human rights, democracy and research materials will be very useful. Also donations in the form of furniture and electrical and communication gadgets are welcome.

The project is expected to begin in March 2003 and will be completed within three months after the necessary resources such as mentioned in the project requirement are ready.