By Rafiq Nungor ADAM
Rev. Fr. Clement Aapengnuo, Country Director-COGINTA – Ghana, has urged journalists to prioritise responsible reporting, avoid harm and prevent misinformation as Ghana’s elections approach, with regional stability remaining a concern.
He said this during a two-day workshop for journalists on preventing and containing violent extremism (PCVE) at Tamale. It was themed ‘Effective communication for sustenance of the PCVE project’.
In his presentation, Rev. Fr. Aapengnuo observed that journalists must avoid causing harm through their work.
“In whatever you do, ensure you do not harm. Your reporting should not create harm; your radio programming should not create harm. Any journalist who stirs up conflict and war through their journalism has completely failed in their profession, and they will be held responsible.
It is also a big challenge for you as there are times when you may be deeply involved. Some journalists have used their platforms to push their own or political agendas,” he stated.
Rev.Fr. Aapengnuo further warned journalists that Ghana’s peace or unrest largely depends on their actions.
“I would like to start by saying that if Ghana is going to burn, it will come from your pens, mics and cameras; if Ghana is going to be peaceful, it will also come from your pens, mics and cameras. Today, we are at a critical stage.
Besides the threat of violent extremism, which is becoming ever more real, we are at the threshold of very critical elections in Ghana where stakes are high and outcomes could go either way.”
Rev. Fr. Aapengnuo noted that Ghana has a double role to play by ensuring peaceful elections and transitioning.
“It is clear that elections and their outcomes often serve as entry points for violent extremists and terrorists.
“Therefore, we have a dual role: to ensure peaceful elections and a smooth transition; and to ensure that through our reporting elections do not become an opportunity for violent extremists to intervene.”
He added that the country should not be overly worried about external threats at the expense of addressing the looming risk of domestic terrorism.
On the media workshop’s second day, Ms. Kathleen Addy, Chairperson-National Commission for Civic Education (NCCE), cautioned that although Ghana has not experienced violent extremism, the threat is real.
“Because we are in an election season, it is easy to think that the issue of violent extremism is now on the back-burner. By the grace of God, we have not experienced any actual events in Ghana so it’s easy to start thinking the problem no longer exists. But that is not the case – because as long as our neighbouring countries are not at peace, we are not yet safe,” she remarked
The PCVE project two-day training workshop is funded by the European Union and implemented by NCCE.
