Accra: The newsroom thrives on speed. A press release drops, a headline is drafted, a story goes live, and within hours, the cycle moves on to the next trending event. But what if journalism slowed down, not to lose its urgency, but to gain depth?
According to Ghana News Agency, this was the challenge Madam Adiki Ayitevie, Director and Principal Consultant of iFORA CommEX, presented to journalists at a two-day workshop organized by Nuclear Power Ghana (NPG) under the theme ‘Media Practices: A Bridge for Building a Sustainable Community Development.’ With her experience from Newmont Ghana, Madam Ayitevie emphasized that the media’s role extends beyond the printed page or broadcast waves, advocating for accountability and transparency in community building.
In her view, much of Ghanaian journalism ends where the real story begins. Madam Ayitevie challenged reporters to move beyond ‘quick follow-ups and announcement coverage’ to tracing the entire project life cycle, including acquisition, compensation, construction, operation, and decommissioning. She argued that deeper investigation would help communities find answers to their questions and address their fears.
Development projects are built on existing lives, cultures, and power structures. Madam Ayitevie highlighted the resistance NPG might face from environmental concerns and local authorities. She advised NPG to manage these tensions sensitively, train communities to manage compensation wisely, create employment opportunities, and prepare for future workforce demands.
Madam Ayitevie urged journalists to demystify nuclear science for the public, emphasizing the importance of breaking down technical terms to prevent misinformation. She advocated for regular facility visits, balanced reporting, and ongoing community engagement to build trust.
Mr. Kofi Yeboah, a Communication Studies lecturer at Wisconsin and former General Secretary of the Ghana Journalists Association, reinforced her call by warning against sensationalism and unverified reporting. He stressed that the media should promote dialogue, transparency, and national economic development while ensuring responsible development.
Mr. Salifu from the Bui Power Authority shared lessons from their experience, emphasizing the importance of listening and responding to community concerns. He noted that resettlement should not only provide infrastructure but also restore livelihoods and preserve ancestral ties.
The workshop outlined a roadmap where media plays an active role in shaping Ghana’s nuclear future. It envisioned headlines that sustain conversations and journalists who anticipate and prevent crises. Madam Ayitevie’s concluding words underscored the importance of the media’s role in maintaining balance, telling the facts, and correcting wrongs.
As Ghana embarks on its ambitious energy project, the question remains: will the media rise to the challenge, trading speed for substance and sensationalism for sustainability? The answer could determine not just how the story is told, but how it unfolds.