Tamale: The media and Civil Society Organisations (CSOs) must unite to protect the environment and ensure the sustainable use of the country's natural resources. Dr. Chrys Anab, Executive Director of TAMA Foundation Universal, emphasized the need for this collaboration, highlighting the challenges associated with managing gold, timber, water, and other resources, particularly in Northern Ghana.
According to Ghana News Agency, Dr. Anab pointed out that the five regions of Northern Ghana have become central to mining activities, which pose significant threats to local livelihoods. Speaking at a capacity-building workshop in Tamale, he identified environmental degradation, climate change, and illegal mining as major challenges that require urgent attention. Dr. Anab stressed the importance of media and CSOs working together to address these issues, as limited media expertise and public engagement hinder effective collective action.
The workshop, titled "Building Media and CSOs Capacity for Enhanced Environmental and Extractive Justice in Northern Ghana," was organized by TAMA Foundation Universal with support from the Ford Foundation. It aimed to formalize the Northern Ghana Environment and Extractive Journalists Network (EEJNet), a platform designed to empower journalists to report on environmental challenges and advocate for sustainable development.
Presenting research conducted by TAMA Foundation Universal, Dr. Anab expressed concern over the destruction and poor regulation in the extractive sector. He revealed that in 2024, the government issued 128 mining licenses across Northern Ghana, but noted that activities of some mining companies were inadequately regulated, resulting in environmental damage and resource conflicts.
Dr. Anab urged media and CSOs to advocate for mining sector reforms to ensure environmental governance and accountability. He criticized the "top-down approach" to licensing as a persistent challenge.
Mr. Mohammed Fugu, Convenor of EEJNet, stated that the network is committed to fostering a community of journalists focused on responsible and impactful environmental reporting. Through continuous capacity-building and support, EEJNet aims to tackle issues like environmental degradation and climate change, producing evidence-based stories to inspire community action.
Mr. Abdul Hayi Moomen, Senior Journalist and Head of Public Affairs at the University for Development Studies, emphasized the media and CSOs' influence on public opinion and policy. He encouraged leveraging their platforms to promote collective action against environmental destruction.
