“What journalists say can either ignite emotions and exacerbate conflict or heal and lead to social cohesion.” Those were the powerful words of Eugene Yirbuor, Senior Conflict Advisor at USAID, as he underscored the immense responsibility journalists carry in fragile regions like Northern Ghana.
In a time when misinformation and disinformation are fueling tensions, the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) Ghana, with support from the Government of Japan, has stepped in to equip journalists with the tools to counter this threat. The organization held a two-day training workshop in Tamale focused on fact-checking and conflict-sensitive reporting, targeting journalists from high-risk regions including the Upper East, Upper West, and Savanna Regions.
The training aimed to empower media practitioners to be active contributors to peacebuilding in Ghana’s north—where false narratives and inflammatory reporting have the power to intensify already volatile situations.
“If a journalist is able to be conflict-sensitive and mindful of the fact that what he or she says could either ignite emotions or lead to social cohesion, then that journalist becomes a seasoned professional who can bring about peace,” Yirbuor explained.
Roselena Ahiable, Project Manager at DUBAWA West Africa, emphasized the crucial role of fact-checking in the digital age, where false information spreads rapidly via social media.
“We are in a space where a lot of false information gets carried around, and social media has made it so much easier. This training was important to equip media personnel with the skills to identify false narratives and debunk them,” she said.
The initiative not only focused on preventing the escalation of conflict but also challenged journalists to change the narrative surrounding Northern Ghana—often misrepresented due to misconceptions and unchecked misinformation.
Participants of the training expressed gratitude for the opportunity, pledging to apply the fact-checking tools and conflict-sensitive techniques learned to improve the quality of their reporting. Their commitment marks a significant step toward building a culture of accurate journalism and peace advocacy in a region too often defined by conflict.
Source: A1RadioOnline.com | 101.1 MHz | David Azure | Bolgatanga
