The Media Platform on Environment and Climate Change (MPEC), in partnership with the Afro-Sino Centre of International Relations (ASCIR) and the Steminist Foundation Ghana has launched a Biennial Media Forum on Natural Resources, Environment, Climate Change and Science. The goal is is to instigate national dialogue on proper management of natural resources, climate change, Science and preservation of the environment.
At the maiden edition of the Forum themed, “Strengthening media focus on natural resources, environment, climate change and science: Challenges, Prospects and Way forward”, an environmental scientist Professor Christopher Gordon, alluded to the fact that, though the media’s main responsibilities is to educate, inform and entertain, it is now incumbent on practitioners to ensure that their stories are able to transform society for good.
He explained that the media must be deliberate in highlighting issues of the environment at all times by educating the public on new ways of doing things. He further reminded the media on its oversight and monitoring role of all stakeholders in the sector for effective and transparent engagements.
“The media also have a very vital role as a monitor; you must monitor governments and even the NGO in the sector. And you must also take stand and have principles to be able to excel in your work as a journalist with interest in the environment,” he indicated.
On his part, Nana Yaw Reuben of the Ghana Agricultural and Rural Development Journalists Association (GARDJA) asserted that climate change and some unregulated environmental activities have affected agriculture in Ghana massively, leading to farming seasons becoming unpredictable, making it difficult for farmers to plan and cultivate their crops.
Executive Director of MPEC, Ama Kudom-Agyemang used the opportunity to charge journalists to take advantage of the BiM-NECS platforms and provide insights about the environment and science to enhance their reportage.
She revealed that, BiM-NECS Forum will be initiating various award schemes called THE MPEC NRECS AWARDS in seven categories, from 2025 to recognise the works of journalists, and other stakeholders that have excelled in projecting the issues of environment, climate change and science.
Meanwhile, a survey conducted by MPEC has revealed that media reportage on environment-related issues is extremely low compared to other sectors such as politics, entertainment and sports, hence the need for a paradigm shift to create sufficient public awareness about bad environmental practices and their negative impact on humanity and future generations.
Source: Derrick Botsyoe || ghananewsonline.com.gh