A training workshop aimed at enhancing the knowledge of media practitioners on climate change and Green Economy has been held for selected media practitioners from across five regions of the northern part of Ghana.

The workshop which was held in Kumasi was organised by the United Nation's Partnership for Action on Green Economy (PAGE) and supported by the United Nations Development Program (UNDP) and the Ministry of Environment, Science, Technology and Innovation (MESTI).

Through experience sharing approach to learning, participants knowledge on the subject were evaluated with a semi-structured questionnaire.

Participants were also taken through interactive learning and role plays targeted at building and publishing credible climate change and Green Economy related SDGs stories.

Photo: A section of the participants

Speaking on the topic, "understanding green economy", Head of Climate Change and Sustainable Development at the Ministry of Environment, Science, Technology and Innovation (MESTI), Mr. Peter Dery emphasized the need for media practitioners to urge stakeholders including governments, the private sector, civil societies and most importantly local authorities to adopt measures aimed at helping achieve the UN's Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

He indicated that the implementation of a green economy in all sectors to improve human wellbeing, social equity, reduce environmental risks, and ecological scarcities would ensure that Ghana moves a step closer to achieving the sustainable development Goals by 2030.

He again noted that a green economy was considered as a vehicle to deliver sustainable development, rather than a destination by itself, and called on journalists to help in propagating the agenda.

"Climate change is attributed directly or indirectly by human activities which alters the composition of the global atmosphere over a long period of 30 years and above". Mr. Dery lamented.

He added that "these activities result in emissions of greenhouse gasses such as Carbon dioxide, methane, nitrous oxide among others". 

These gasses, according to Mr. Dery has greenhouse effect which allows the sun energy to pass through but trap the radiant energy on the surface of the earth. This brings about temperature increases and changes in rainfall patterns.

Mrs. Praise Nutakor, a communications expert at UNDP and lead facilitator at the workshop lead participants in discussions on writing compelling journalistic stories.

She urged media practitioners to use their improved knowledge and skills on climate change acquired during the training efficiently to help Ghana achieve its targeted SDGs.

She also urged participants especially those in the print media to increase its usage of visuals (pictures) in their publications. This according to her has the tendency of sending true pictures and understandings to their targeted readers.

The participants drawn from the Ashanti, Brong Ahafo, Northern, Upper West and Upper East regions applauded the organizers for the efforts in improving the understanding of the media on the principles of climate change and Green Economy.

Some of them also suggested that a network or a pool of journalists is created for effective coverage on climate change and Green Economy related SDG issues.