GIBA – UNDP Media Workshop

“Responsible Reportage for Election 2016”

GIBA organized a Media Workshop under the theme “Responsible Reportage for Election 2016” on Thursday, March 31, 2016 at the UNDP Ghana office for media practitioners with support from UNDP Ghana. This engagement formed part of activities undertaken by GIBA aimed at providing a collaborative learning platform for independent broadcasters. It was also to sensitise its members and the general public on the need for accurate and issue based reportage in the lead up to, during and after Election 2016.

The GIBA President, Akwasi Agyeman, was hopeful that the media would stand to gain by being circumspect in their reportage and not allow their platforms to be used to further any parochial political or tribal interest. The Workshop brought together several stakeholder groups including the Electoral Commission, National Media Commission, Ghana Journalists Association, National Peace Council, and the National Commission on Civic Education.

The workshop provided a useful platform to sensitise media personnel on their responsibilities before, during and after Elections 2016, as well as information and experience sharing from veteran media practitioners such as Prof. Kwame Karikari who was the key note speaker and Godwin Avernogbo. Speaking at the event, the Deputy Commissioner in Charge of Administration at the Electoral Commission, Georgina Opoku-Amankwah cautioned journalists against declaring results. She informed participants that the electoral results would be published on giant screens mounted in the capital. She stressed that the mandate of the media was therefore to report the results but not to declare a winner especially in the presidential elections.

The feedback received from the workshop was very positive and the GIBA President expressed his appreciation to UNDP Ghana for their support and hoped for more fruitful relations aimed at consolidating Ghana’s democracy.