The Ghana Health Service (GHS) has organized a training workshop in Tamale, Northern Region, to equip media professionals with skills for effective risk communication and responsible reporting during public health emergencies.
The workshop aimed to enhance journalists’ ability to disseminate accurate public health information, combat misinformation, and foster community engagement.
According to the GHS, the COVID-19 pandemic and other recent public health emergencies have highlighted the harmful impact of myths, misinformation, and disinformation spread through various media platforms.
“This,” the GHS explained, “has created confusion and reduced demand for vaccines and other vital health interventions.” The service emphasized the need for comprehensive training for media professionals in responsible reporting, risk communication, and community engagement to ensure the effective dissemination of public health messages.
Joel Abekuliya, National Coordinator and Risk Communication and Health Promotion Officer at the GHS, highlighted the importance of the training.
“We are gathered to reiterate the importance of responsible journalism, especially in the face of rapidly spreading diseases. As one of the pillars of risk communication during health emergencies, journalists play a vital role in shaping public perception and action.”
The training, organized in collaboration with the World Health Organization (WHO) and supported by Canada’s International Development—Global Affairs Canada, brought together health promotion officers and journalists from the Northern, Upper East, Upper West, and North East regions.
Kwadwo Asante-Afari, the Risk Communication and Community Engagement Officer at the WHO office in Ghana, stressed the negative impact of myths during public health emergencies and underscored the need to address them proactively.
Rabiu Alhassan of FactSpace West Africa guided participants through various fact-checking tools to help them verify sources and content, thereby preventing misinformation and ensuring public safety.
Source: A1Radioonline.com | 101.1MHz | David Azure | Tamale
