The United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) Ghana has organized a two-day training workshop for journalists and bloggers in Tamale, aimed at strengthening their capacity in fact-checking and conflict-sensitive reporting across Northern Ghana.
The training, held under the “Preventive Approach to Protecting Development in the Gulf of Guinea (Prevention Facility)” project, focused on enhancing the role of the media in combating misinformation, disinformation, and malinformation, particularly those that incite violence and disproportionately affect women and vulnerable groups.
Melody Azinim, Peace and Governance Programme Analyst at UNDP Ghana, emphasized the critical role journalists play in peacebuilding and national cohesion. She urged media professionals to report responsibly, validating all information before publication to prevent the spread of false or inflammatory content.
“As radio presenters, we are admired and trusted by our communities. That trust makes us powerful advocates, and how we frame our messages can either foster unity or deepen divisions. The media acts as a key source of information, and we must never take that responsibility for granted,” she said.
Ms. Azinim warned that the spread of unverified or misleading information could lead to confusion, mistrust, and even violence. She encouraged journalists to prioritize accuracy over speed, stating that it is more important to be right than to be first.
The training, funded by the Government of Japan, brought together journalists and bloggers from the Upper East, Northern, and Savannah Regions, all of whom were equipped with practical tools to identify and counter false information while reporting on ethnic, religious, and land-related conflicts.
Albert Futukpor, Northern Regional Secretary of the Ghana Journalists Association (GJA), praised the initiative and acknowledged the UNDP’s efforts in building media resilience to misinformation and divisive content.
“As journalists and bloggers, we hold the power to shape narratives, influence public discourse, and foster national unity—or sadly, the reverse. In this age of rapid information sharing and social media, fact-checking and conflict-sensitive reporting are no longer optional skills—they are essential professional obligations,” he stressed.
Futukpor urged media practitioners to uphold truth, accuracy, and impartiality, especially when reporting on sensitive issues like ethnicity, religion, and chieftaincy disputes, where misreporting can easily ignite tensions.
Participants lauded the training, describing it as timely and impactful. Many stated their readiness to implement the new knowledge and techniques learned in their respective newsrooms to enhance journalistic integrity and promote peace.
“This training will go a long way to improve our daily work. We are committed to applying conflict-sensitive techniques and fact-checking practices in our storytelling,” a participant shared.
The UNDP’s media capacity-building programme in Northern Ghana marks a significant step toward strengthening responsible journalism and peaceful information ecosystems in regions prone to ethnic and communal tensions.
Source: A1RadioOnline.com | 101.1 MHz | David Azure, Tamale
