By: Isaac Amoah

The Bank of Ghana (BoG) has organised a two-day media training workshop on financial reporting for journalists in the Ashanti Region.

The workshop, which is being held at Veronique Heights in Kumasi from 16-19 October 2024, forms part of BoG’s efforts to ensure that the media accurately interpret and report on economic issues, monetary policy decisions and their implications.

Some scenes from the workshop

The insightful and educative workshop touched on the following topics: Monetary Policy ~ice in Ghana; Understanding Inflation Dynamics in Ghana; Developments in Foreign Exchange Market; Macroeconomic Analysis & Significance of Macroeconomic Indicators.

The rest of the topics were: Interpreting MPC Data Pack/ Engagement on Practical Financial Reporting
Exercises; and the Concept of Next of Kin.

BoG team in a group photograph with participants

In his opening remarks, Mr. Bernard A. Otabil, the Director of Communications at BoG, stated emphatically that the crucial role of the media in supporting BoG’s efforts in creating understanding among the citizenry cannot be overemphasised, hence its commitment to partnering with the media for effective education.

According to him, the effectiveness of BoG would definitely improve when the public are well educated to understand the operations of BoG.

He, therefore, admonished journalists, as well as all media practitioners, to use their power responsibly.

He said the media has the power to influence the society both positively and negatively; he, therefore, urged the media to use their power positively in creating peace, unity and growth for the betterment of all.

Besides, the BoG Director of Communications used the opportunity to heap praises on the media for their continuous support. He pledged the commitment of BoG to continue to have a good working relationship with the media to help educate the public.

On his part, the Ashanti Regional Chairman for the Ghana Journalists Association (GJA), Mr. Kingsley E. Hope, commended the leadership of BoG for the capacity training workshop.

He entreated his colleague journalists to take key interest in understanding economic issues and the interpretation of monetary policy decisions in order to better educate their viewers, listeners and readers.

A cross-section of journalists, who spoke to this paper, described the two-day workshop as informative and an eye-opener.

They also encouraged the leadership of BoG to emphasise the training of journalists on financial reporting in order to avoid misreporting and misinformation.