ACTION AID INTERACTS WITH PRESS
ACTION AID INTERACTS WITH PRESS October 22, 2009
BY PETER ATOGEWE WEDAM
ISD- BOLGATANGA MUNICIPAL
Journalists in the Upper East region have been urged to focus on issues of poverty reduction that will lead the region out of its present state of underdevelopment instead of devoting all their airtime and print space to politics.
The Programmes Manager of Action Aid Ghana, a non-governmental organization [NGO], Mr. Michael Lumor said this at a media discussion workshop on climate change and responsible reportage held in Bolgatanga.
The programmes manager further asked the journalist to constantly write news stories and feature articles on the root causes of poverty and suggest ways by which possible solutions can be found to remedy the high poverty levels in the region.
Mr. Lumor noted that Action Aid places much premium on issues of poverty and injustice in the society and pledged that the NGO will support the press in its efforts to eradicate poverty and fight injustice in the region.
He recounted that his organization first began its operations in the then Bawku district of the Upper East region in 1990 and has since then transformed from a charity organization to a direct service delivery one and now uses the rights-based approach in its work.
He said Action Aid Ghana believes that all people are entitled to certain standards of spiritual and material well being. The NGO also seeks to combat the root causes of poverty in rural communities while empowering the rural poor to become self dependant.
Mr. Lumor noted that the rights-based approach brings duty bearers and rights holders together to interact and this promotes accountability. He said when this happens, the poor are seen as active rights holders and not passive beneficiaries.
H e appealed to the media to constantly give out relevant information on developmental issues noting that without knowledge, people cannot question duty bearers even when they fail to deliver.
Municipal and district assemblies should also enact bylaws that will sanction and punish perpetrators of rights violations.
In his presentation on climate change, the Action Aid officer observed that, burning of fossil fuels, deforestation and extensive use of fertilizers and other chemicals all lead to climate change which consequently results in global warming causing droughts, floods, earthquakes, and volcanoes. The resultant effect of this is unleashing devastating damage to human existence.
He noted that poorest countries are often the hardest hit by these disasters resulting from climate change and therefore called for appropriate adaptation measures to be instituted by all countries. The world’s richest countries must also cut their greenhouse gas emissions while increased assistance must be given to small scale agriculture which is devoid of massive chemical use.
The Upper East regional president of the Ghana Journalists Association [GJA], Mr. Eric Amooh who delivered a talk on responsible reportage, told his colleague journalists that they have a responsibility to work for the development of the region by reporting on investment potentials and other positive things in the region while exposing the negatives where necessary.
Mr. Amooh said the public expects the media to watch over the public purse by keeping government and public servants on their toes without infringing on the rights of people. He said the public also has the right to unbiased reportage and urged journalists to eschew prejudice when reporting on especially controversial issues.
He warned that punitive actions will be visited on any journalist who collects bribes in the cause of discharging his/her duties. He also advised against accepting inducements to influence performance saying these kill the profession and the initiative to uncover rot in society.
The GJA president said it is regrettable that some journalists collect bribes in line of their duties and in the process kill stories on embezzlement of public funds by helping irresponsible duty bearers to escape lawful punishment. He observed that such embezzled funds could be spent on education, health and other projects that will benefit the general public.
He also hinted that he will lead his executives to register more eligible journalists who qualify to join the GJA since larger numbers will the association more influence and strength.
Participants were drawn from all media houses in Upper East region and also from development organizations.
BY PETER ATOGEWE WEDAM
ISD- BOLGATANGA MUNICIPAL
Journalists in the Upper East region have been urged to focus on issues of poverty reduction that will lead the region out of its present state of underdevelopment instead of devoting all their airtime and print space to politics.
The Programmes Manager of Action Aid Ghana, a non-governmental organization [NGO], Mr. Michael Lumor said this at a media discussion workshop on climate change and responsible reportage held in Bolgatanga.
The programmes manager further asked the journalist to constantly write news stories and feature articles on the root causes of poverty and suggest ways by which possible solutions can be found to remedy the high poverty levels in the region.
Mr. Lumor noted that Action Aid places much premium on issues of poverty and injustice in the society and pledged that the NGO will support the press in its efforts to eradicate poverty and fight injustice in the region.
He recounted that his organization first began its operations in the then Bawku district of the Upper East region in 1990 and has since then transformed from a charity organization to a direct service delivery one and now uses the rights-based approach in its work.
He said Action Aid Ghana believes that all people are entitled to certain standards of spiritual and material well being. The NGO also seeks to combat the root causes of poverty in rural communities while empowering the rural poor to become self dependant.
Mr. Lumor noted that the rights-based approach brings duty bearers and rights holders together to interact and this promotes accountability. He said when this happens, the poor are seen as active rights holders and not passive beneficiaries.
H e appealed to the media to constantly give out relevant information on developmental issues noting that without knowledge, people cannot question duty bearers even when they fail to deliver.
Municipal and district assemblies should also enact bylaws that will sanction and punish perpetrators of rights violations.
In his presentation on climate change, the Action Aid officer observed that, burning of fossil fuels, deforestation and extensive use of fertilizers and other chemicals all lead to climate change which consequently results in global warming causing droughts, floods, earthquakes, and volcanoes. The resultant effect of this is unleashing devastating damage to human existence.
He noted that poorest countries are often the hardest hit by these disasters resulting from climate change and therefore called for appropriate adaptation measures to be instituted by all countries. The world’s richest countries must also cut their greenhouse gas emissions while increased assistance must be given to small scale agriculture which is devoid of massive chemical use.
The Upper East regional president of the Ghana Journalists Association [GJA], Mr. Eric Amooh who delivered a talk on responsible reportage, told his colleague journalists that they have a responsibility to work for the development of the region by reporting on investment potentials and other positive things in the region while exposing the negatives where necessary.
Mr. Amooh said the public expects the media to watch over the public purse by keeping government and public servants on their toes without infringing on the rights of people. He said the public also has the right to unbiased reportage and urged journalists to eschew prejudice when reporting on especially controversial issues.
He warned that punitive actions will be visited on any journalist who collects bribes in the cause of discharging his/her duties. He also advised against accepting inducements to influence performance saying these kill the profession and the initiative to uncover rot in society.
The GJA president said it is regrettable that some journalists collect bribes in line of their duties and in the process kill stories on embezzlement of public funds by helping irresponsible duty bearers to escape lawful punishment. He observed that such embezzled funds could be spent on education, health and other projects that will benefit the general public.
He also hinted that he will lead his executives to register more eligible journalists who qualify to join the GJA since larger numbers will the association more influence and strength.
Participants were drawn from all media houses in Upper East region and also from development organizations.
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