Thirty journalists drawn from various media outlets across the Upper East Region have undergone intensive training in conflict-sensitive reporting to strengthen ethical journalism, combat misinformation and support ongoing peacebuilding efforts in the region.
The two-day capacity-building workshop, organised by FactSpace West Africa in partnership with UNICEF and supported by UNESCO through the International Programme for the Development of Communication (IPDC) EMBRACE Project, brought together journalists from Bolgatanga, Bawku, Binduri, Pusiga, Garu, Tempane, Zebilla among other districts.
The participants were taken through practical sessions on conflict-sensitive reporting, fact-checking, source verification, de-escalation strategies, peacebuilding and the EMBRACE Peace Campaign.
The Executive Director of FactSpace West Africa, Rabiu Alhassan, addressing journalists at the workshop in Bolgatanga last Wednesday urged them to prioritise accuracy and professionalism by verifying information before publication.
He cautioned that the publication of unverified information, particularly during conflict situations, could inflame tensions, spread misinformation, and undermine efforts to restore peace.
The Chairman of the Upper East Regional Peace Council, Alhaji Sumaila Issaka, said the media had a crucial role to play in promoting peace by ensuring that their reportage was factual and presented in a manner that encouraged dialogue and peaceful coexistence.
He noted that although sustainable peace required the collective efforts of all governments, the media had a significant responsibility in setting the agenda for peaceful coexistence.
Alhaji Issaka urged journalists to remain impartial and guided by the profession's ethics when reporting on conflicts.
The Bolgatanga Municipal Director of the National Commission for Civic Education (NCCE), Omar Jafaru Alsadiq, added that the recent conflict in Bawku underscored the need for journalists to report with professionalism, fairness and sensitivity.
"The media occupies the centre stage in virtually every aspect of national life, including conflict situations. Journalists therefore have a responsibility to report with accuracy, fairness and professionalism because their work can influence public reactions and the direction of events," he said.
Building professional capacity
The Dean of the Faculty of Communication and Media Studies at the University for Development Studies (UDS), Professor Eliasu Mumuni, , encouraged participants to apply the knowledge and skills acquired to produce accurate, balanced and ethical report to help prevent misinformation, reduce tensions and contribute to lasting peace.
Participants’ reaction
A journalist with Dreamz FM in Bolgatanga, James Nana Tsiquaye, described the training as timely, saying it had broadened his understanding of conflict-sensitive reporting and reinforced the importance of verifying information before publication.
A reporter with Modern Ghana, Abdul-Kadir Abdulai, said the workshop had equipped him with practical tools to report conflicts accurately and responsibly without escalating tensions.
