A Trip To Ghana Meteological Services

Meteorology is the study of climate and weather. To understand the world around us climate is studied to provide adequate information to guide human in their daily activities. When defining "climate", it becomes incomplete when the word "average" is exempted, therefore, climate is the average weather condition of a place. 

In the course of the study, it was revealed that the general name for measuring the instrument parameters is called ELEMENTS OF WEATHER.

The facilitator explained that, there are ten(10) types of clouds, namely;

1. Cirrus

2. Cirrocumulus

3.Cirrostratus
4. Attocumulus,
5. Attostratus, 
6. Nimbostratus
7. Stratus
8. Stratocumulus
9. Cumulus
10. Cumulumilus(CB).
  


 

The cloud is examined in three (3) categories; they are  height, amount, type .  The unit for height is metres(m), amount is oktar, however, there is no unit for type.

Moreover, hurricane is a heavy rainfall accompanied by a very strong wind about 60nod.

I gained a new knowledge on how humidity is measured.

Surprisingly, in the study the human hair is used as an instrument for measuring humidity. During harmattan, this is where most ladies complain of hair breakages and with  guys, this is the period where their hair gets bushy within a twinkle of an eye.

Meteorologists use their eyes to observe and record their findings on clouds.

            

By: Ernestina Serwaa Asante 
   Level 300(JN)

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FEJ TEAMS UP WITH GIJ- WOCOM FOR CLEAN UP EXERCISE.

The women's commission of Ghana Institute of Journalism( G.I.J) as part of its activities marking the women's week, joined forces with the federation of environmental journalists to embark on a clean-up exercise both within and outside campus. 

Clad in branded indomie T-shirts, with fingers in gloves and noses covered with masks, participants including all ten contestants of Face of G.I.J pageant and members of the F.E.J started the exercise by sweeping and distilling gutters at the back yard of block D.

   

                                        Face of GIJ contestants and FEJ members at work

In an interview with Maame Afia Frimponmaa Dwira, the organizing secretary of FEJ, she noted that as budding environmental journalists, the club’s collaboration with the women’s commission is a step in the right direction as it affords members to "walk the talk" in maintaining a sanitized environment.

Frimponmaa Dwira (Middle )

Delicious packs of Indomie instant noodles were also readily available for participants to munch on, after the exercise.

Dora Badu Acheampong, the women’s commissioner also noted that, the clean- up exercise was the first of its kind being organized by the commission, adding that the aim was to maintain a healthy GIJ environment.

  

                    

The clean-up exercise, is the second in the series of events to commemorate the GIJ women’s week. Day one saw the director of Ipas Ghana, deliver a talk on the theme “Abortion and the tertiary student”. Subsequent events include a trade fair and fashion show as well as the face of GIJ pageant.

This year’s pageant which comes off on Saturday, 23^rd April, 2016 at Alisa Hotel would be the climax of the women’s week celebration.

By Daniel Abugre Anyorigya.

Level 100

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SEMINAR ON THE DYNAMICS OF ENVIRONMENTAL REPORTING HELD

The Federation of Environmental Journalists, in collaboration with the Ghana country water Partnership (CWP-GHANA) on Thursday, 21^st March 2016, organized an educative, informative and thought provoking program dubbed “the dynamics of environmental reporting”.

The event was graced with the presence of seasoned journalists from Ghana and the diaspora. These dignitaries gave talks on diverse issues relating to the environment and also gave a word of advice to groups that had presented  timely documentaries on mining in the Prestea community.

The seminar was as an opportunity for students who embarked on a field trip to Bogoso/Prestea to share their knowledge and experiences with their colleagues.

Some Beneficiaries, sharing their experiences

Participants of the trip took turns to make presentations, after which five students were honoured for their outstanding productions during the Water Sanitation and Hygiene(WASH) competition held on campus the previous semester .

                 Some award winners

Click here to see more pics:Learn & Share Seminar

The seminar had no doubt made an impact. Most of the attendees were elated about the fact that they had learnt something that will enable them “thrive and make a difference in their communities”.

 FEJ is therefore committed to organizing many of such seminars in future to complement their efforts in conserving the environment.

By Buatsi Redeemer,

Level 100C

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LAUNCH OF WASH JOURNALISM INITIATIVE

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  Frederick Asiamah

  
  
  
  
   Global Water Partnership (GWP) in collaboration with Ghana Wash Journalism Network (GWJN) and the Federation of environmental Journalists (FEJ) launched a Water, Sanitation and Hygiene (WASH) at the Ghana Institute of Journalism.
  The initiative dubbed “ma wie my wash concern' is aimed at encouraging student journalists to write more stories on natural resources especially water, as well as  sanitation and other environmental issues.
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  Fredrick  Asiamah, a member of GWJN was the main speaker.
  
  He said in his delivery that man's second need is water but that is what is being given less prominence in media coverage. He indicated that a research by the National Media Commission in 2008 showed that media reportage on water and sanitation constituted only 1%. The state owned media, daily graphic and Ghanaian Times also recorded 2% in the aforementioned areas with politics dominating the chat from 2011-2014.
  
  Mr.Asiama said that Ghana is aiming to achieve Millennium Development Goal(MDG)7 by the end of 2015 and the only way we can achieve it is through  education and creation of awareness through media reportage. He said achieving this goal will also help curb other problems in other sectors of the economy.
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• He again argued that gender is one of the issues that have gained so much attention over the years resulting in the creation of a gender ministry which takes care of women in particular. He said research has shown that the majority of girls who drop out of school are as a result of the absence of facilities to give them comfort during their menstrual cycle.  Frederick Asiamah maintained that solving all these problems will help curb other problems in other sectors of the economy.
  
  He therefore encouraged upcoming journalists to resort to the writing of more water, sanitation and environmental stories .He also lectured the students on how to write these stories.
  
  Justice Odoboi, a representative of GWJN also explained the work of the network. He stated that the outfit is a network of journalists who uncover issues on water, sanitation and hygiene, create awareness and educate the general public on it.They also prepare reports for policy makers concerning these issues.
  
  He believes reporting on these issues will help solve some health issues facing this country. He therefore encouraged the students to write more articles to conserve and protect the environment. He also promised that any student who is able to write an article concerning the aforementioned areas will be rewarded.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                BY: Agnes Ansah                                                                                                                                                                              This article was first published on www.studentsghana.com
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JOURNEY TO THE WEST

                                        

The Federation of environmental journalists is a club founded by students of the Ghana Institute of Journalism. Its main focus is on how humans interact with their environment both positively and negatively.

For this reason, the club in partnership Global Water Partnership, a non-governmental organisation embarked on a field trip to some mining areas such as Prestea and Bogoso in the Western region .

Wow! what a room

     

                   Spacious Rooms for two

On arrival, the team lodged at Bogoso Golden hotel. In fact, almost all those we called upon welcomed us warmly and gave us the necessary information.

An Irate resident in an interview

The trip was very educative. This is because we were able to practice the theories we have been taught in the lecture halls. These things included how to generate ideas for a story, how to interview people and how to relate to hostile people.

It was very entertaining because each member of the team was easily approachable making communication very easy.

In conclusion, FEJ-GIJ and Global Water Partnership did a very good job and must be commended for it.

  

By Rachel Bulley

Level 300 journalism

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WHO IS RESPONSIBLE?

The activity of mining companies both large scale and artisanal miners have over the years being a threat to the lives of the people in Prestea.

Whilst the people blame the District Assembly for not checking on the mining companies, the District Assembly also blames the chiefs who in turn blame the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).

 Salifu Ali, a resident in the community, said that the people decided to demonstrate against these activities by asking for the closure of the mining company (Golden Star). The government acted and granted their request. On a second thought the same community decided to allow them operate in order for the company to employ members of the community and also to help them with basic infrastructure like an ICT laboratory, waste containers among a few, but the company failed in its promise.

Mr. Dominic Nyame, the secretary general Of Concerned Citizens Association Of Prestea spoke about the various effects mining has on the people. He commented that due to mining activities most farms have been destroyed compensation given to the people. According to him, no farming posts or signs are placed on the farms making it difficult for farming activities on the land.

One of the questions I keep asking is who is the main custodian of the land? Is it the community, the District Assembly, the chief or the EPA?

This is because from statements made, the people of Prestea, and the District Assembly, have no control over the mining companies since they have their licenses and permits from the minerals commission.

The Prestea/Huni Valley District Assembly serves as a governmental authority in Pretsea. According to Mr.Enoch Konadu, the environmental officer in charge of the district, they have no power to stop the mining companies from encroaching on people’s farms and or preventing conflicts between the mining companies and the people. He was of the view that EPA did little to help them as a District Assembly since they do not check whether the lands for which license is granted is a home to people or a farm.

He also stated that most of these issues involving the people and the mining companies  are mediated by the chief and the elders of Prestea in the person of Nana Himan.

A call on the chief and the elders confirmed what Mr. Konadu earlier stated. According to them, they believe it is their sole responsibility to demarcate and earmark the lands to the mining companies but as it stands now, whenever they question their credibility they show licenses indicating that they have the permit to mine in these lands.

The question now then is what are the duties of the traditional council in their communities? Do they sit for an outsider to control their lands elsewhere?

As in the Ghanaian setting, it is known that the traditional authority is responsible for such an activity but not in the case of Prestea. The EPA situated in Accra is rather responsible for such activities.

An effort to reach Golden Star, the main mining company in the community to ask of their view was fruitless. It was made known that it gives out some of its lands to other small scale miners to work on.

By : Agnes Borteley Owoo

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