The Ashanti Regional branch of the Ghana Journalists Association (GJA) has organised a capacity-building programme to strengthen the competencies of journalists in environmental reporting and personal safety, as part of efforts to enhance media contribution to environmental sustainability and climate action.
The training programme, held in Kumasi last Friday under the theme, “Inspired by Nature: For Climate. For Our Future,” brought together journalists from various media houses across the region to deepen their understanding of environmental challenges and the role of the media in promoting responsible environmental stewardship.
The programme was funded by Reporters Without Borders (RSF Germany) and formed part of broader initiatives aimed at equipping journalists, particularly young media practitioners, with the knowledge and skills needed to effectively report on pressing environmental issues, including climate change, deforestation, illegal mining, biodiversity loss, and air and water pollution.
Addressing participants at the opening session, the Ashanti Regional Chairman of the GJA, Mr Kofi Adu Domfeh, expressed gratitude to RSF Germany for supporting the initiative and reaffirmed the association’s commitment to strengthening the capacity of journalists in critical areas of public interest reporting.
He noted that environmental issues had become increasingly important in national and global development discussions and therefore required informed, accurate and impactful reporting by journalists.
According to him, the training was not only intended to improve participants’ professional skills but also to encourage personal reflection on environmental responsibility and sustainable living.
“This programme is a call for all of us to engage in self-introspection regarding our responsibility towards environmental stewardship and sustainable growth. We must begin to look at our individual actions and how they contribute to climate action and environmental protection,” he said.
Mr Domfeh urged journalists to lead by example by promoting environmental consciousness in their communities and using their platforms to educate the public on the consequences of environmental degradation.
He further encouraged participants to embrace practical climate action measures, including tree planting and greening of their immediate surroundings, stressing that collective efforts were necessary to safeguard the environment for future generations.
The regional chairman also highlighted the importance of journalist safety, noting that environmental reporting often exposed media practitioners to risks, particularly when covering sensitive issues such as illegal mining, deforestation and environmental crimes.
He expressed optimism that the training would empower journalists to carry out their duties effectively while prioritising their personal safety and professional integrity.
The programme featured presentations by experts from academia, environmental management and journalism.
One of the facilitators, Mr Richard Boadi-Soadwa, Ashanti Regional Deputy Director of the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and Head of the Amansie Area Office, took participants through key environmental issues confronting the country and the need for evidence-based reporting to support environmental governance and policy implementation.
He emphasised the media’s role in raising awareness about environmental challenges and influencing positive behavioural change among citizens.
Another facilitator, Dr Jones Opoku-Ware, a criminologist at the Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology (KNUST), discussed personal security and risk management strategies for journalists, especially those covering investigative and environmental stories.
He advised journalists to undertake proper risk assessments before assignments and adhere to safety protocols when operating in potentially hostile environments.
Environmental journalist, Mr Erastus Asare Donkor, also shared practical experiences from his years of reporting on environmental issues. He encouraged participants to pursue impactful stories that draw public attention to environmental abuses while maintaining the highest standards of accuracy, fairness and professionalism.
Participants described the programme as timely and beneficial, noting that it had enhanced their understanding of environmental reporting and equipped them with practical tools for effective storytelling and personal protection.
The training forms part of ongoing efforts by the GJA and its partners to build a resilient and knowledgeable media workforce capable of contributing meaningfully to national development and environmental sustainability.
The organisers expressed hope that journalists who participated in the programme would serve as ambassadors for climate action and environmental protection in their respective communities and newsrooms.
