Koforidua: The Ghana Journalists Association (GJA), Eastern Region, has urged journalists to intensify solution-driven environmental reporting to promote green innovation, strengthen accountability, and accelerate sustainable development. The call was made by Mr. Stephen Ampem Darko-Koranteng, the Eastern Regional Chairman of the GJA, at the opening of a two-day workshop organized by the Nkabom Collaborative of the University of Environment and Sustainable Development (UESD). The workshop was held under the theme: 'Reporting Green Innovation: Strengthening Media Engagement for Sustainable Development.'
According to Ghana News Agency, Mr. Darko-Koranteng emphasized the importance of placing environmental and climate reporting at the center of public discourse, highlighting that credible journalism is essential for advancing sustainable development and inspiring climate action. He described the media as a powerful force capable of shaping public understanding and influencing environmental stewardship. "The pen is powerful. The microphone is powerful. The camera is powerful. But when these tools are focused on the environment, they become instruments of survival," he stated.
The Eastern Region, known for its rich natural resources such as the Volta Lake, the Atewa Forest, and cocoa farms, continues to face challenges like illegal mining, deforestation, plastic pollution, and climate-related shocks affecting farming communities. Mr. Darko-Koranteng pointed out that green innovation extends beyond renewable energy technologies to include climate-smart agriculture, plastic recycling initiatives, and businesses transforming waste into economic opportunities. He urged journalists to identify and amplify such solution-oriented stories to encourage wider adoption across communities.
He further stressed the need for stronger collaboration among the media, scientists, traditional authorities, government institutions, and citizens to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). He outlined three priorities for environmental journalism: simplifying climate science for public understanding, investigating environmental governance and policy implementation, and highlighting practical innovations addressing environmental challenges.
The GJA Eastern Region also committed to enhancing journalists' capacity through regular training, building a regional network of Green Reporters in partnership with UESD and other stakeholders, and promoting consistent environmental reporting throughout the year. Mr. Darko-Koranteng urged journalists to report accurately, emphasize solutions, and remain committed to informing the public on issues that will shape the environmental future of generations to come.