Koforidua: Plan International Ghana has called on journalists to move beyond sensational headlines and political propaganda to embrace responsible, rights-based reporting on children, girls, and vulnerable communities.
According to Ghana News Agency, during the opening of a three-day media training on gender and children in Koforidua, Mr. Eric Ayaba, the Head of Programmes and Influencing at Plan International Ghana, highlighted the need for media practitioners to prioritize development and rights issues over political and sensational narratives.
The training, themed 'Journalism with Purpose: Reporting Responsibly on Children, Gender, Equity and Vulnerable Communities,' was held at the Eastern Premier Hotel in Koforidua. Mr. Ayaba emphasized that telling the stories of children and girls is a development and rights issue, urging journalists to avoid perpetuating stereotypes and victim-blaming, especially in cases of sexual and gender-based violence.
Mr. Ayaba stressed the importance of the 'do no harm' principle in journalism, noting that reportage should not endanger or retraumatize children and vulnerable persons. He also underscored the significance of informed and ongoing consent, safeguarding anonymity to protect sources from harm, and the role of journalists as bridges between reality and public perception.
Plan International Ghana has been consistently engaging the media to build capacity in gender-transformative reporting over the past three years. The organization, founded in 1937, works globally to advance children's rights and equality for girls, with programs in Ghana focused on education, child protection, youth empowerment, and gender equality.
Ms. Theodora Asare, Project Manager of the Renewed Women's Voice and Leadership (RWVL) Ghana Project, addressed structural inequalities and resource limitations as barriers to gender equality. The RWVL project, funded by Global Affairs Canada and supported by Plan International Canada, aims to enhance the capacity of women's rights organizations and youth-led groups from March 2025 to December 2031.
With a budget of approximately 1.9 million dollars, the project will provide flexible funding, advocacy support, and research-based interventions for legal and social change. Ms. Asare highlighted the importance of organizational sustainability, feminist and intersectional approaches, and the media's role in amplifying research findings to advance gender equality.
Award-winning journalist Ms. Regina Asamoah shared practical safeguarding measures for journalists, such as disabling geolocation features and obtaining consent for photographs. She encouraged inclusive language in reporting and urged journalists to explore development-focused angles in their coverage.
The training underscores Plan International Ghana's commitment to ethical journalism that prioritizes dignity, safety, and development. Participants are expected to enhance their skills in gender-transformative reporting and rights-based storytelling, contributing positively to national development and the protection of children and vulnerable populations.