By Joseph O. Sayon/Accra, Ghana
The United States Agency for International Development (USAID) under its West African Biodiversity and Climate Change (WABICC) Program on May 14, 2019 rallied dozens of Environmental Journalists in Accra, Ghana to set the platform on how to enhance environmental reporting in the region.
The one day round-table brought together at least thirty five Journalists from Environmental Journalists Networks, Organizations and individuals from the West Africa Sub-Region.
The round-table was basically focused on current state and achievements of environmental media and reporting in West Africa, current desirable state of environmental media and reporting and gaps identification including causes of the gaps and action to be taken to address such gaps.
The West Africa Biodiversity and Climate Change program is working in key thematic areas, Reducing Deforestation, Degradation and Biodiversity loss, Combating Wildlife Trafficking, and Increasing Coastal Resilience to Climate Change.
WABICC’s Chief of Party Stephen Kelleher, told Environmental Journalists at the one day roundtable in Accra, Ghana, that they are very much significant to achieving WABICC objectives through balance and sustained media reportage.
Mr. Kelleher said so many things happening in the environmental sector, citing deforestation, wildlife trafficking and sea erosion.
He noted that those challenges need to be tackled head-on to reduce the impact of climate change and poaching in West Africa.
Mr. Kelleher emphasized that this can only be done if environmental Journalists understand and better interpret scientific jargons and provide education to the general public through their respective media outlets.
The WABICC Chief of Party said he strongly believes that the work of the media informs policymakers to take action and listen to the voices of the ordinary people on issues affecting their lives.
Mr. Kelleher said though he can out rightly assured participants who attended the one day round-table of his entity’s commitment to provide small grant, he will work along with other International Organizations to seek further assistance for the participating organizations and Networks.
During open discussion, participants of the roundtable in separate statements welcomed the initiative by USID-WABICC program and stressed the need for more capacity building and resources opportunities for their respective Networks, Organizations and individuals.
The Participants advanced several recommendations that they believe could enhance their capacities to meet the desire results of increasing coastal resilience and biodiversity conservation.
Amongst recommendations made are the strengthening of existing Network through the provision of resources, all forms of motivation for environmental Journalists and creating grand and training opportunities for environmental Journalists in West Africa.
A power point presentation was made by WABICC highlighting the importance of increasing Coastal resilience, combating Wildlife Trafficking and reducing deforestation, forest degradation and biodiversity loss.
Journalists at the one day round table gathering were drawn from the west African sub-region including Ghana, Liberia and Sierra Leone.
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