The Center for Media Studies and Peacebuilding CEMESP in partnership with the Accra-based Media Foundation for West Africa over the weekend concluded a two-day Digital Skills Training Workshop for 50 female at community radios and bloggers.
The participants drawn from Grand Bassa, Margibi, and Rivercess Counties were equipped with essential digital competencies, which is expected to enable them navigate and thrive in the increasingly digital world.
The training, held in Buchanan, was not only a learning experience but also a significant step towards gender equality and women’s online empowerment in Liberia.
The participants, engaged in comprehensive sessions that covered a range of digital skills, from basic computer and internet literacy to advanced digital content creation with a shared commitment to harnessing technology for personal and community development.
The Program Manager at the Media Foundation for West Africa, Vivian Affoah, delivered an inspiring speech, urging the participants to leverage the knowledge they had acquired.
“Media Foundation is very proud to support this initiative with funding from the Embassy of the Netherlands in Ghana and we urge you to use the knowledge gained in your various professional newsrooms,” she said
Madam Affoah’s words resonated deeply with the female journalists: “Remember, this is just the beginning. Use your newfound knowledge wisely and continue to grow and inspire others. Together, we can create a more equitable and digitally inclusive society.”
The CEMESP said the significance of this training cannot be overstated in a world where digital skills are becoming increasingly crucial, and that, such initiatives are vital in bridging the digital divide and fostering inclusivity.
CEMESP’s Program Assistant Wremongar Blojay Joe remarked: “For you community radio female journalists, this training is their first comprehensive exposure to digital tools and techniques, marking the beginning of a new chapter in your personal and professional lives”.
Throughout the training, participants expressed their gratitude to CEMESP and shared how the program had opened new horizons for them.
“This training has been a game-changer for me,” said Adama Johnson, a journalism student and blogger from Margibi County. “I feel more confident and equipped to pursue my goals in the digital world.”
“The participants, now more connected and informed, are poised to make significant contributions to their communities and beyond.”
“The female community radio journalists were not only trained but also encouraged to become digital ambassadors in their communities. They left with a renewed sense of purpose and a commitment to apply their skills to drive positive change,” Joe emphasized.
“I am excited to take what I have learned back to my community and help others develop these essential skills,” said Ophelia Bondo, of Radio Joy Africa in Margibi County.
Journalist Fatumata Barrie lauded CEMESP and MFWA for supporting the training and emphasized the need for cross-country training to improve “different learning outcomes.”
