UE/R: SOCO PROJECT FACILITATORS URGED TO WORK HARD FOR THE SUCCESS OF THE PROJECT – DCE NABDAM
By: Gladys Apuweni
ActionAid Ghana has organised a one day training workshop for journalists in the Upper East Region to promote ethical, inclusive and anti racist storytelling. The training sought to strengthen journalists’ capacity to report stories in ways that protect human dignity and accurately represent the experiences of communities.
Speaking at the workshop, Programme Manager, Mr Akuka Yakubu, highlighted the important role of the media in shaping public opinion and promoting social justice. He encouraged journalists to practise responsible reporting, particularly when covering vulnerable and marginalised groups.
The facilitator, Miss Jacqueline Parditey, Public Relations and Communications Officer of ActionAid, took participants through the Anti Racist Storytelling Charter, which emphasises putting dignity before the story, centring people’s voices, challenging stereotypes, avoiding saviour narratives, providing context, using respectful language, obtaining consent and ensuring meaningful representation.
The training also introduced journalists to ActionAid’s three strategic priorities: Green Economy and Resilient Livelihoods, Women’s Rights and Decent Work, and Active Citizenship, Accountability and Gender Responsive Public Services, covering issues including climate justice, women’s rights, sexual and reproductive health, social protection, education, WASH services and political participation.
Miss Parditey stressed that journalists should tell stories with people, rather than merely about people, while protecting them from harm and ensuring their voices and experiences remain central. The workshop therefore served as a call for the Upper East media to promote fair, respectful and people centred reporting that challenges stereotypes and advances equality, dignity and social justice.
