The Executive Secretary of the Upper East Regional Peace Council, Ali Anankpieng, has called on journalists and media practitioners to adopt comprehensive and balanced approaches when reporting on conflict-related issues both within and outside the region.
He emphasized the need for journalists to fully understand the historical and contextual aspects of conflicts before publishing any reports. According to Mr. Anankpieng, this requires thorough research, consultation of archives, and direct engagement with affected communities to gain a deeper understanding of the issues at hand.
Mr. Anankpieng made these remarks during a two-day training exercise held for journalists in the Upper East Region. The training, organized by the Upper East Regional Peace Council in collaboration with Catholic Relief Services, was part of the Preventing Violent Extremism through Social Accountability (POVETSA) Project II.
This initiative, funded by the Netherlands Ministry of Foreign Affairs, aims to enhance the capacity of journalists for conflict-sensitive reporting. The training sought to equip journalists with the tools and knowledge needed to cover conflicts in a way that promotes peace and minimizes misinformation.
Mr. Anankpieng highlighted the importance of gathering information from all necessary angles to produce rich and balanced stories that contribute to conflict prevention and resolution.
The Deputy Director in Charge of Conflict Management and Resolution at the National Peace Council, Mr. Frank Wilson Bodza, also addressed the journalists during the training. He underscored the critical role media professionals play in preventing conflicts, particularly in the lead-up to the 2024 elections. He urged reporters to be vigilant and responsible in their coverage, as misinformation and disinformation can easily ignite tensions.
The objectives of the training centered on engaging the media in conflict prevention and peace promotion, improving their capacity for conflict-sensitive reporting, and enhancing their ability to prevent the spread of misinformation that could trigger conflicts. Furthermore, it aimed to promote peaceful elections and foster social cohesion across Ghana.
Adelaide Yiriyelleh, Project Manager for the POVETSA II project, reiterated the essential role of the media in promoting peace and preventing violent extremism. She noted that the project’s ultimate goal is to improve civilian security transformations in Ghana by involving journalists in efforts to foster peace and prevent conflicts.
Source: A1Radioonline.com|101.1Mhz|Moses Apiah|Bolgatanga
