Accra, October 1, 2025 – The Chief Executive Officer of MTN Ghana, Stephen Blewett, has underscored that the future of telecommunications will be driven by technology platforms and digital innovation, not just by providing connectivity.
Mr.Stephen Blewett
He emphasized that Artificial Intelligence (AI), coding, and the creativity of young innovators will define the next wave of growth in the industry.
Speaking on an Accra radio station, Mr. Blewett highlighted that while telecommunication networks serve as the foundation for innovation across industries, the real value lies in the platforms and solutions built on top of them. “The real growth in telecoms won’t just come from providing connectivity. It will come from the platforms, solutions and innovations built on top of those networks. Think about it, Facebook, WhatsApp and Uber, none of these would exist without the network. That’s where the future lies”, he said.
He noted that AI and coding are not just buzzwords but engines of future growth, reinforcing the central role of telecommunications in Ghana’s economic and social transformation. “The telecom sector will remain central to economic and social transformation because we provide the backbone that allows all other sectors to innovate and thrive”.
He reiterated the company’s commitment to its Ambition 2025 strategy, which focuses on digital platforms, fintech innovation, and inclusive growth. “At MTN, we’re not just chasing profits, we are chasing impact. Our goal is to create opportunities, to enable young people, businesses, and communities to thrive in a digital economy”.
Social media has become an indispensable tool for communication, education, and national development. It connects people, provides platforms for political discourse, supports businesses, and strengthens social bonds. However, this powerful medium has also become a fertile ground for insults, abuse, and character assassination.
The rise of online insults in Ghana has raised concerns about morality, civic responsibility, and respect for human dignity. To address this growing problem, a tripod approach — law, technology, and citizens — working at the point of convergence offers the most effective remedies.
Ghana Digital Snapshot (2025)
Internet Users approximately 24.3 million- about 69.9% of Ghana’s population.
George Akom
Mobile Connections approximately 38.3 million- around 110% of the population (multiple SIMs per person).
Social Media Users approximately 7.95 million -roughly 22.9% of the population; about 39.2% of adults (18+).
Facebook Users approximately 10.7 million -a round 31% of population (August 2025).
Instagram Users approximately 2.5 million about 7–8% of population.
Offline Population approximately 10.75 million – around 31.8% of Ghanaians still offline.
The Rise of Insults on Social Media
Online insults are no longer mere disagreements; they often escalate into harassment, cyberbullying, and reputational damage. Public officials, media personalities, and private citizens alike have fallen victim to derogatory attacks.
Left unchecked, such behaviour discourages responsible discourse and undermines democratic participation.
Positives and Negatives of Social Media
– Positives: Social media fosters free expression, mobilizes civic engagement, promotes business visibility, and connects communities.
– Negatives: When misused, it spreads misinformation, promotes insults and hate speech, and damages personal and institutional reputations. The negative impacts sometimes overshadow its benefits if not managed well.
Law: Providing the Framework for Accountability
Ghana’s legal system has established clear provisions to safeguard citizens against online abuse:
– Criminal Offences Act, 1960 (Act 29): Sections 207–208 prohibit offensive conduct and publication of false news that could lead to public unrest or damage reputations.
– Electronic Communications Act, 2008 (Act 775): Section 76 prohibits the transmission of false or offensive messages through electronic communication.
– Cybersecurity Act, 2020 (Act 1038): Provides measures against cyberstalking, cyberbullying, and other harmful online conduct.
These laws empower law enforcement agencies and the judiciary to hold offenders accountable, ensuring that the right to free speech does not degenerate into unrestrained insults.
Technology: Ensuring Real-Time Safeguards
Technology provides complementary tools to the law in curbing online insults:
-AI-Powered Monitoring: Automated systems can flag and remove abusive language on platforms.
– Content Moderation Policies: Platforms like Facebook, X (Twitter), and TikTok enforce community standards that suspend or ban abusive users.
– Digital Identity Verification: Stronger authentication helps trace perpetrators of online insults.
– Reporting and Blocking Tools: Users can report abusive accounts or block them to minimize exposure.
– Cyber Forensics: Advanced tools help security agencies track and prosecute offenders.
Citizens: Exercising Responsibility in the Digital Space
The third leg of the tripod is the citizen. Without responsible digital behaviour, laws and technology alone cannot succeed. Citizens must:
– Use their freedom of expression responsibly, avoiding unnecessary insults and abuse.
– Report offensive content to platforms and authorities instead of engaging in online battles.
– Participate in digital literacy initiatives to better understand respectful online engagement.
– Promote positive dialogue that builds unity and strengthens democracy.
The Convergence of the Tripod
Like a tripod, all three legs must stand together. Law provides the framework, technology ensures real-time enforcement, and citizens bring personal responsibility. When these converge, Ghana can protect free speech while eliminating harmful abuses on social media.
Conclusion
Curbing insults on social media is not the duty of government or technology companies alone. It requires a tripod of remedies — laws that deter, technology that safeguards, and citizens who act responsibly. At this convergence, Ghana can build a safe, respectful, and progressive online environment that strengthens democracy, preserves dignity, and upholds social cohesion.
By: George Akom -(Educationist, Information Systems and Governance Analyst)
Email: kingakom77@gmail.com/0243387291
Accra, Ghana, September 19, 2025 – MTN Ghana has officially launched DigiFest 2025, a month-long festival celebrating digital innovation, creativity, and opportunity. DigiFest is designed to showcase MTN’s digital product suite, deepen customer engagement, and reinforce MTN’s position as a leader in customer-centric digital innovation.
Stephen Blewett, CEO of MTN Ghana and some Executives at the DigiFest Launch
Speaking at the launch, Stephen Blewett, Chief Executive Officer of MTN Ghana, emphasized that DigiFest is both a celebration of MTN’s achievements and a bold step toward a fully digital future. “MTN does not see itself simply as a telecom company, but as a digital company,” Blewett said.
A section of the participants
He highlighted MTN’s contributions to building an inclusive digital society, including over $1 billion invested in Ghana’s digital infrastructure over the past five years, with an additional $240 million investment this year. “From mobile money to music, video, gaming, education, healthcare, and enterprise solutions, MTN is enabling people to live, work, and fully participate in the digital world—anywhere, anytime,” he added.
Mr.Ibrahim Misto, Chief Digital Officer of MTN Ghana speaking at the event
Mr Blewett also underscored MTN’s commitment to empowering the next generation of innovators throughinitiatives such as the construction of the $25million ICT hubas well as the MTN Digital Skills Academy.
Ibrahim Misto, Chief Digital Officer of MTN Ghana, highlighted the transformative power of technology and artificial intelligence in reshaping industries and everyday life. “AI is redefining markets and the skills needed to thrive,” he said.
Mr.Stephen Blewett, Chief Executive Officer of MTN Ghana speaking at the event.
Mr Misto also drew attention to the rise of mobile gaming as a platform for creativity, entrepreneurship, and global competition, reflecting the opportunities technology presents for Ghana’s youth. “Mobile gaming is more than just entertainment; it’s a platform for creativity, entrepreneurship, and global competition. Ghana’s youth now have the tools to innovate, connect, and compete on the world stage, and technology is opening doors to opportunities that were unimaginable just a few years ago,” he added.
DigiFest 2025 offers a blend of educational, interactive, and entertaining experiences. Over the course of the festival, participants will experience a UX/UI hackathon, experiential booths with gaming stations, Spin the Wheel engagements, and demonstrations of the myMTN app. AI community sessions will focus on university students and staff to spark interest in MTN’s digital initiatives, while Tech Quiz Fridays provide fun, interactive learning opportunities with weekly rewards.
The festival will showcase digital concepts and products from partners including Samsung, Huawei, Unotelos, Abena AI, and Smart Home solutions across multiple booths and screens.
DigiFest 2025 reflects MTN’s Ambition 2025, reinforcing the company’s commitment to building a bold, inclusive, and digitally empowered future for all Ghanaians.
End.
Media Contacts:
Adwoa Wiafe
Chief Corporate Services and Sustainability Officer
Accra, September 17, 2025 — MTN Ghana Hosts CSO Forum on Connectivity, Sustainability, and Digital Inclusion
On Wednesday, September 10, 2025, MTN Ghana hosted selected representatives from Civil Society Organizations (CSOs) at its Head Office in Accra for a forum focused on connectivity, sustainability, and digital inclusion.
The CSO Forum is part of MTN’s ongoing stakeholder engagement initiatives aimed at fostering transparency, gathering feedback, and strengthening partnerships that support the company’s ambition to lead digital solutions for Africa’s progress.
MTN Ghana Officials in a group photograph with the CSOs
In her opening remarks, Adwoa Wiafe, Chief Corporate Services and Sustainability Officer (CCSSO) of MTN Ghana, underscored the critical role of CSOs as partners in shaping policy and public discourse. She emphasized that as the telecom and digital sector evolves into what she described as the “sector of sectors,” MTN must continue to balance business growth with responsibility.
Ms. Wiafe reiterated that sustainability lies at the core of MTN’s strategy, highlighting initiatives such as the ban on plastic bottles in MTN offices to reduce waste and protect the environment. She also noted the company’s progress in renewable energy adoption, pointing out that half of MTN Ghana’s energy needs are now met through green sources.
Adwoa Wiafe speaking at the event
Reuben Opata, Chief Technical Officer of MTN Ghana, delivered a detailed presentation on the evolution of mobile technology and the state of MTN’s network. He stressed the centrality of investment in delivering reliable connectivity.
“You cannot deliver quality service without significant investment. MTN has invested over $1 billion in Ghana’s network because that’s what it takes to expand coverage and improve quality,” he said.
Mr. Opata further explained that despite these substantial investments, challenges such as frequent fiber cuts continue to disrupt service delivery. “This year alone, MTN has spent about $22 million repairing fiber cuts. Without these repairs, communication simply stops — that’s how critical fiber is to Ghana’s connectivity,” he added.
A section of the participants
Mrs. Georgina Asare Fiagbenu, Senior Manager for Corporate Communications, reaffirmed MTN’s commitment to engaging stakeholders in advancing Ghana’s digital agenda. She also pledged to sustain open and transparent communication between CSOs and MTN to deepen collaboration and build trust.
The discussions at the forum also addressed issues such as accessibility for persons with disabilities, customer experience, and the role of digital technology in driving economic growth. Participants welcomed the open dialogue and raised concerns around Mobile Money fraud, affordability, accessibility, and inclusivity, emphasizing the need for continued collaboration and highlighting areas where MTN could improve to better serve communities.
Also present at the forum were Mr. Samuel Bartels, Senior Manager for Regulatory and Government Affairs, the Corporate Communications team, and other MTN Ghana staff.
The largest telecommunications company in the country, MTN Ghana, has impacted thousands of lives across the country with the implementation of 173 major projects through its Foundation.
The major projects range from health, education, economic conditions, employment, aside from eight (8) social impact or intervention programmes.
Mrs. Georgina Asare Fiagbenu, the Senior Manager for Corporate Communications at MTN Ghana, revealed this during the 2025 MTN media stakeholder forum held at Lancaster Hotel, Kumasi, on Thursday, 28th August 2025.
Some scenes from the forum
She said, “MTN Ghana, through our Foundation, has so far completed 173 major projects, including classroom blocks, health facilities and this doesn’t include our annual MTN ye’llo care event projects.”
“Out of the projects,90 are in the area of education, 57 projects are in the health sector and the remaining 18 major projects are in the area of economic employment,” she added.
Besides, the company has eight interventions which have also benefited hundreds of people but are accounted or recorded as one project. Examples of such interventions include the annual “Hero of Change” programme, Bright Scholarship for tertiary students, annual blood donation exercise, among others.
Mr.Nii Adotey Mingle,Mrs Adwoa Wiafe Afriyie,Mr. Dickson Amoung-Yaw and Mrs.Rosebud Atsutsey during a panel discussion session
Touching on the network infrastructure improvement and expansion, Mr. Dickson Amoung-Yaw, Manager, Network Field Services for Northern Zone, disclosed that this year alone the network had become the most vital backbone in the lives of people and MTN Ghana has plans of expanding and improving the network to wherever people find themselves.
To this end, MTN, since the beginning of this year, has committed to coverage expansion to where there is no connectivity at all.
“Currently, we have earmarked 14 sites and in the area of data expansion; 533 have been targeted this year alone. Out of the number, 430 have already been done,” he disclosed.
Mr. Amoung-Yaw said since fibre infrastructure was the backbone of quality network, they were doing a lot there and in the Ashanti Region alone, 1,328 sites are being worked on.
“We’ve invested US $245 million for infrastructure development to improve on the network for our customers.That’s why we advocate that we need to maintain the fibre for good network connectivity,” he added.
He, however, expressed concerns that since January to date, 585 fibre cuts had been recorded in the Ashanti Region alone.
He said out of the number, 63 were traffic impacted fibre cuts which affected 1,075 customers who were unable to makes calls.
Earlier in his welcome address, Mr. Nii Adotey Mingle, General Manager, Northern Business sector, explained that the forum was designed to update the media and other stakeholders, and also to get feedback from them to help improve their services.
“This engagement is also about strengthening our engagement with our stakeholders, especially the media, all geared towards serving our customers well or meeting the customers’ satisfaction,” he stressed.
Accra, August 06,2025 -MTN Ghana has reaffirmed its unwavering commitment to digital inclusion and female empowerment with continued investment towards the National Girls-in-ICT Initiative. The Girls in ICT program is a Ministry of Communication, Digital Technology and Innovationsflagship program aimed at equipping young Ghanaian girls and their teachers with essential ICT/digital skills for the future.
Adwoa Wiafe making presentation
The initiative has trained over 13,000 girls (ages 9 to 15) and 1,300 teachers across 11 regions of Ghana, including North-East, Western-North, Ahafo, Bono-East, Bono, Savannah, Northern, Eastern, Greater Accra, Ashanti and Volta Regions. Participants have gained practical skills in coding, website design, game development and animation.
A group photograph
In celebration of its 25th Anniversary in 2021, MTN Ghana initially committed GHS 10 million over three years to support the Ministry in implementing the Girls-in-ICT programme. That investment has since grown to GHS 17.6 million between 2021 and 2025, making MTN one of the most significant contributors to Ghana’s digital empowerment agenda.
Speaking at the climax of the Volta Region edition recently, the Chief Corporate Services and Sustainability Officer at MTN Ghana, Adwoa Wiafe, emphasized the strategic role of the initiative in shaping Ghana’s future workforce. She said, “At MTN, we believe in inclusivity, empowering girls, the differently abled and all who deserve a chance. We are not just investing in words but in action. We want to make sure every Ghanaian child, especially girls, can access hands-on, practical ICT education. The future belongs to those with digital skills. It’s not a luxury anymore it’s a necessity”.
“Our CEO, Stephen Blewett always says the next big thing must come from Africa. We are here to help make that happen, by providing the skills, the tools and the platform”, she added.
The Volta Region event is one of three regional events planned for 2025, with upcoming editions slated for the Upper East and Upper West regions. Meanwhile, the Ministry of Communication,Digital Technology and Innovations is taking steps to establish a Trust Fund to sustain and expand the initiative’s reach.
MTN Ghana’s support for the initiative falls in line with the company’s vision to lead the delivery of a bold new digital world and its core beliefs that everyone deserves the benefits of a modern, connected life. It also forms part of its diversity and Inclusion program. MTN Ghana will continue to lead the charge in bridging Ghana’s digital divide and is committed to empowering the next generation of female digital leaders.
End.
Media Contacts:
Adwoa Wiafe
Chief Corporate Services and Sustainability Officer
18thJuly 2025 —MTN, Africa’s leading mobile network operator, has partnered with MTV Base, the number one youth and pop culture brand in Africa, to launch the Room of Safety, an innovative, youth-led movement to raise awareness about online child safety and promote positive digital behaviours across the continent.
The collaboration forms part of MTN’s Help Children Be Children campaign and leverages the reach and influence of platforms like MTV, MTV Base, and MTV’s digital channels to drive meaningful change. Central to the initiative is the launch of Room of Safety, a powerful 10-part short-form series premiering on 20 July 2025 at 15:00 on MTV Base, DStv channel 322, and on @MTVBaseSouth and @MTVBaseAfrica social handles.
Marina Madale
Through relatable storytelling and youth-driven content, the series aims to spark dialogue, raise awareness, and equip young people with the knowledge and tools to navigate online risks. With its multi-platform distribution, the campaign is positioned to reach millions of young Africans, catalyse community conversations, and influence safer digital behaviour across the continent.
The series features Paramount’s Culture Squad member, Craig Nobela, alongside a dynamic lineup of young African influencers including Yanda Woods, LordKez, Foyin Ongunrombi, Azana, MajorSteez, Melissa Nayimuli, Mawelele and Naledi.
“As technology evolves, we’re seeing serious risks, AI misuse, online stalking, and exploitation, mirror and sometimes intensify the harm we once associated only with the physical world. At MTN, we believe access must go hand-in-hand with protection. Through our partnership with MTV Base on Room of Safety, we’re amplifying the voices of young people to speak to, and stand up for, each other, creating a safer, more conscious digital future,” said Marina Madale, MTN Group Executive: Sustainability and Shared Value.
“For two decades, MTV Base has been at the forefront of shaping youth culture and using our platform to spotlight issues that matter. From HIV awareness to gender equality and mental health, we’ve consistently championed content that drives change. With Room of Safety, we’re continuing that legacy, empowering young people to navigate the digital world safely and confidently. This partnership with MTN is a powerful step in protecting the next generation and ensuring their voices are heard,” said Monde Twala, Senior Vice President and GM of Editorial at Paramount Africa.
Commenting on the initiative, MTN Ghana’s Chief Corporate Services and Sustainability Officer Adwoa Wiafe said, “Online safety is a critical pillar for driving digital inclusion in Ghana, and it is imperative that we take bold, proactive steps to foster a culture where young people feel empowered to openly discuss their online experiences with parents, educators, and peers. This platform is not just a conversation starter—it’s a strategic enabler, designed to spark meaningful dialogue, build trust, and strengthen digital resilience among the youth in our communities.”
A Growing Concern Across Africa
Recent research conducted by Ipsos in partnership with MTN across Nigeria, South Sudan, and Zambia reveals alarming trends in online behaviour among children aged 8–17:
1 in 10 children in Nigeria and South Sudan reported being harassed online.
20% of children in South Sudan reported being bullied online — the highest among the three countries.
In Nigeria, 79% of adolescents aged 13–17 spend more than an hour online daily, increasing their exposure to risky online behaviour.
30–40% of teens across the three countries admitted to adding strangers to their messaging apps.
In Juba, children who spend more than an hour online daily are 17 times more likely to engage in risky online behaviour.
These findings underscore the urgent need for digital education and protective mechanisms tailored to African youth.
Empowering Youth and Parents Alike
MTN is committed to creating a safer digital environment for children through a holistic approach that extends beyond awareness to action. As part of its Help Children Be Children initiative, MTN is supporting the strengthening of in-country reporting portals and child helplines, while also working to make the Africa Online Safety Portal accessible across the continent, particularly in countries that lack national platforms.
The reporting portal enables users to report URLs containing CSAM, which are reviewed by expert analysts and removed, often within an hour. This initiative is especially critical in regions where only 20–22% of children are aware of existing child protection portals, yet over 80% want service providers to offer ways to report abuse directly.
By bridging these gaps, MTN, together with MTV Base aims to ensure that every African child, regardless of location, can access vital safety information, report harmful content, and connect to support services that protect their digital wellbeing.
A Call to Action
Protecting children online in Africa demands urgent, collective action. We must close the data gap, fast-track fit-for-purpose regulation, scale digital literacy in schools, and strengthen collaboration across sectors. With emerging threats like AI misuse and online exploitation, the time to act is now.
Through Room of Safety, MTN and MTV Base are using their reach to turn awareness into action, equipping youth and those who support them with the tools to stay safe, speak up, and stand together. We call on young people, parents, educators, and leaders to be part of building a safer digital Africa for the next generation.
A leading telecommunications giant in Ghana – MTN Ghana – continues to impact the unemployed youth with employable skills.
This time round, MTN Ghana, through its annual programme – 21 Days of Y’ello Care – has trained 12 unemployed Nyinanihi youths in mobile phone repairs.
MTN Ghana officials in a group photograph with the trainees
Besides, the company awarded the trainees with certificates and startup tools.
On Friday, 20th June 2025, MTN staff and officials visited the Nyinahini Data Centre where 12 persons, who were undergoing training in phone repairs received certificates of participation and tools to set up their own businesses.
Mr. Charles Osei Akoto, the Head of Technical for MTN Ghana Northern Business District, who led the team, said the training programmes formed part of the “21 Days Y’ello Care” initiative by MTN where staff members do volunteer work and also embark on initiatives in selected communities.
He said “this year, in the Northern Business District of MTN Ghana, Unity Fashions at Asokwa played host to MTN staff and volunteers learnt fashion designing and others.”
He disclosed that they had trained 12 unemployed youths in how to repair mobile phones and become trainer of trainees to build the capacity of many youths in mobile phone repairs to support their community members.
According to him, mobile phone has become part and parcel of human lives and MTN Ghana thought it prudent to help train many people in phone repairs to support the users, especially in the rural areas where they normally find it difficult to access qualified phones repairers.
Apart from mobile phone repairs, the company also supported the beneficiaries with the necessary tools to start work right after the training.
They were also taught good communication skills in order to accord their potential customers with the needed courtesies. The trainees were awarded certificates as qualified mobile phone repairers.
The trainer of the 12 trainees, Abdul Awudu talked about the things he taught at tbe Data Centre, while Peter Bonsu, a trainee, also gave account on how the training had been beneficial to him and his other colleagues.
On his part, Peter Armah Bonsu, on behalf of beneficiaries of the MTN Ghana-sponsored training, expressed their deepest appreciation to the company for the impactful training.
According to them, before the training, they didn’t know how to even open a mobile phone, let alone repair it.
He advised mobile phone users to seek the services of phone repairers instead of trying to fix their faulty phones by themselves.
The trainees, therefore, appealed to MTN Ghana to extend the training to other communities to also benefit from the destiny-changing training.
Key activities the staff of MTN Ghana undertook during the period included driving a mobile ICT van to educate students in selected schools, delivering skills training to the youth, women and PWDs, providing school uniforms for needy pupils.
Other activities were empowering community members with the tools to thrive in the digital world, providing smart training for farming women in the Northern Region and providing insurance for mobile healthcare, among other activities.
Accra, June 16, 2025 – Selected youth in Mankessim (Central Region), Apowa (Western Region), and Nyinahin (Ashanti Region) are receiving training in mobile phone repairs as part of MTN Ghana’s 21 days of Yello care. The training is to equip the youth with practical skills for self-employment and long-term economic inclusion.
Some scenes from the event
The training program covers various areas, including IC fault fixing, screen fixing, charging fault fixing, speaker/sound fixing, network fault fixing, iCloud bypass, SIM unlocking, decoding, iCloud removal, and FRP/Google lock removal.
This program is facilitated by MTN Ghana employees as part of their annual employee volunteerism campaign called “21 Days of Y’ello Care.” This year’s theme is “Connecting at the Root: Connecting Communities Through the Use of Digital Tools.” The campaign focuses on bridging digital inequity, particularly in rural, remote, and marginalized communities. During the 21 Days of Y’ello Care, MTN Ghana staff across all 16 regions will implement projects to enhance digital literacy, promote access to digital tools, and encourage innovative uses of technology for community development.
Regarding the campaign, Adwoa Wiafe, the Chief Corporate Services and Sustainability Officer, stated, “This year’s theme challenges us to go beyond connectivity and ensure that communities are empowered to fully participate in the digital economy. Through skills training such as mobile phone repair, we are enabling young people to take control of their future.”
Launched in 2007, the 21 Days of Y’ello Care program has become one of MTN’s flagship corporate social responsibility initiatives, mobilizing thousands of employees annually to contribute to their communities. Since its inception, the initiative has significantly impacted the lives of millions and enriched hundreds of communities across the continent.
End.
Media Contacts:
Adwoa Wiafe
Chief Corporate Services and Sustainability Officer
Email: MTNGhana.MediaOffice@mtn.com
The Science and Technology Communicators of Ghana (SaTCOG) has stressed the crucial role of science journalism in promoting public understanding and engagement with science in the country.
According to the Association “science journalism is not just about reporting on scientific breakthroughs or discoveries. It is about telling the stories that matter, stories that impact our daily lives, our environment, and our future”.
Speaking at the second biennial media forum on natural resources, environment, climate change and science (BIM-NECS FORUM 2), an Executive Director of the Association, KINGSLEY E. HOPE, noted that “science journalism is about making complex scientific concepts accessible, understandable, and relevant to the general public”.
Mr. HOPE, the outgoing Ashanti Regional Chairman of the Ghana Journalists Association observed that Ghana faced numerous challenges that required scientific solutions. From climate change to environmental degradation, from health pandemics to food security, “science journalism plays a critical role in informing the public, policymakers, and stakeholders about the issues, the science behind them, and the potential solutions”.
Mr.Kibgsley E.Hope, Aahanti GJA Chairman
However, he observed that science journalism faced its own set of challenges pointing to limited resources, lack of access to scientific information, and the complexity of scientific concepts “that can make it difficult for journalists to report accurately and effectively on scientific issues”.
“This is where organizations like SaTCOG come in. By promoting science journalism and providing training, resources, and support to journalists, we can enhance the quality and quantity of science reporting in Ghana”,he intoned.
To promote science journalism in Ghana, he stressed the need to build capacity, to provide training and resources to journalists to help them understand complex scientific concepts and report accurately on scientific issues.
Mr. HOPE, who doubles as the Ashanti Regional Correspondent of the Ghanaian Times mewapaper,mentioned the need to promote access to scientific information.
“We need to encourage scientists, researchers, and institutions to share their findings, data, and expertise with journalists and the public. We need to recognize and reward excellence in science journalism. We need to celebrate journalists who do an outstanding job of reporting on scientific issues and inspire others to follow in their footsteps”.
He encouraged the Ghana Journalists Association ro collaborate effectively with science related associations to promote public understanding and engagement with science.
“It is our collective responsibility to promote science journalism, build capacity, promote access to scientific information, and recognize excellence in science reporting.
The forum, which was held on Tuesday, 3rd June 2025, at True Vine Hotel, was on the theme: “Ecosystem Restoration: The Politics, the Science, the Human and the Economy”.
It brought together key stakeholders from the Bono East, Bono, Ahafo and Ashanti regions to brainstorm the need to restore the ecosystem.
BIM-NECS FORUM is a joint initiative of Media Platform on Environment and Climate Change (MPC), the Afro-Sino Centre of International Relations (ASSCIR) and Steminist Foundation.
The goal is to contribute to the conversation about the importance of the media and information dissemination for the governance and management of NECS.
Key speakers included Professor (Mrs) Mercy Afua Adutwumwaa Denkyi, who is the Director of Quality Assurance and Academic Planning Directorate (QAAPD), University of Energy and Natural Resources (UNER), Sunyani.
Mr. HOPE commended the forum for the engagement as he noted the role of the media in ensuring ecosystem restoration could not be overemphasised. Hence, he called for an effective environmental reportage with in-depth knowledge acquisition by media personnel.
