Some journalists from throughout the media house in Ghana and different anti-corruption stakeholders have pledged to deepen efforts to stop corruption and work towards bettering behaviours, norms, and requirements wanted to maintain an anti-corrupt society.
This comes on the again of a workshop organized by Corruption Watch Ghana for some chosen journalists to successfully have interaction on corruption points to promote good and accountable governance within the nation.
The workshop, held on the theme, ‘Saving Millions for Ghana’s Development – Employing Innovative Ways to Fight Against Corruption,’ sought to advance the anti-corruption agenda by elevating consciousness and stimulating debate, fostering networking, cross-fertilization, and the change of expertise which can be indispensable for efficient advocacy and motion, on a nationwide and world stage.
The workshop additionally sought to promote cooperation among the many media, civil society, and residents by offering the chance for face-to-face dialogue and direct liaison between representatives from the media and organizations collaborating whereas utilizing modern-day expertise for efficient suggestions.
Participants had in-depth discussions on how to determine the proper mechanisms and approaches when finishing up corruption-related tales while sustaining neutrality as a journalist.
In a short welcome tackle, William Nyarko, Executive Director of the Africa Center for International Law and Accountability (ACILA) and technical advisor to Corruption Watch Ghana, expressed gratitude to the journalists current for his or her steady help in the combat of corruption.
He additionally charged them not to surrender in demanding accountability from all actors within the anti-corruption house to guarantee corruption circumstances are investigated, suspects prosecuted, and stolen funds recovered.
Raymond Archer, Chief Executive Officer of D-Fence Security System and lead speaker of the dialogue confused about the necessity to follow impartiality when investigating corruption-related tales. He suggested journalists to kick towards limiting themselves to political and ideological beliefs and work within the nation’s curiosity.
In his tackle, he beckoned journalists to institute belief amongst themselves to get desired ends in their line of work.
“The media, among other things, should push for the frontiers of press freedom. Forming alliances, trusting yourself, and working together is very key in the fight against corruption,” he confused.
In highlighting outcomes from the Afrobarometer R9 survey, Alfred Ocansey, broadcast journalist with Media General, discovered the findings on the extent of press freedom in Ghana surprising.
“Indeed, when I measure the results of investigative journalism in the country in the last five years, it has been relatively beyond average. But I want to question how many of my colleagues are of the view that press freedom is on the average level,” he queried.
Speaking on the financial vulnerability of most native journalists, Samuel Eshun, a broadcast journalist with Happy FM, bemoaned the shortage of help and encouragement from officers and heads of establishments throughout investigations, a follow, he mentioned, typically uncovered the vulnerability of journalists who get focused by some corrupt authorities officers by bribery.
“If we are vulnerable as journalists, the strength to push for corruption-related stories and issues becomes very difficult,” Mr. Eshun lamented.
Meanwhile, Naa Dedei Tettey, a broadcast journalist with Starr FM, was of the view that journalists opting to work on ‘soft’ tales was a contributory issue to the surge in corruption and corruption-related actions within the nation. She used the chance to encourage colleague media practitioners to produce extra investigative
studies.
The Corruption Watch workshop was attended by members of the Media for Public Integrity Group, information anchors, present affairs present hosts, and Corruption Watch companions.
About Corruption Watch Ghana
Corruption Watch Ghana is an initiative by the Ghana Center for Democratic Development (CDD-Ghana) and a coalition of anti-corruption civil society organizations together with, Ghana Integrity Initiative (GII), Ghana Anti Corruption Coalition (GACC), Africa Center for International Law and Accountability (ACILA) and Multimedia Platforms Joy FM and Adom FM as our major media companions.
