By: Josephine Akari
Issues affecting persons living with disability over the years have not received the needed support and attention in the country, as most of them do not benefit from any major support system, even though there is an Act for such benefits.
It is for this reason that YALI TV in collaboration with Ghana Journalists Association, US Embassy Ghana and Blue Crest University, has launched a Media Capacity Building Initiative for Journalists to exhibit a high level of professionalism with regard to reports on persons living with disability.
Speaking at the launch, General Manager of Yali TV, Stephen Asuo, said the training will equip journalists with the requisite knowledge not to just report on persons with disability, but ensure that their reportage influences positive change in the lives of persons living with disability.
The initiative seeks to recruit 30 journalists across regions of Ghana, who will go through a two-day training to enhance their work which may be in the area of sustainable documentaries, programmes or reports that focus on persons living with disability.
Manager of Yali TV, Stephen Asuo said Journalists being the fourth estate, contribute significantly to the nation through their media outlets, hence the aim of the initiative is for journalists to see themselves as a force for change and use their platforms to bring hope to persons living with disability.
”This initiative was initiated a few months ago to train, empower and equip journalists in the country. Journalists over the past years have been influential and relevant in the building of the nation as they are the fourth estate. We believe that with the right tools and information, journalists can become more effective and sensitive to persons living with disability so that in their reportage there will be empathy and accuracy. The training will enable Journalists to give voice to persons with disabilities”, the Manager of Yali TV stated.
President of the Ghana Journalists Association, Roland Affail Monney, said the initiative is in line with the GJA’s vision to build the capacity of journalists in specialization programmes.
He called on journalists to ensure persons living with disability do not suffer social discrimination and stigmatization.
”Building the capacity of Journalists in the specialization of persons living with disability chimes with the drive by the Ghana Journalists Association to put more emphasis on specialization. We believe that the Jacks of all trade syndrome does not read the accelerated development of the media. This is a wake-up call on Journalists to use the power they willed to ensure that social exclusion, discrimination and stigmatization of people with disabilities do not become a permanent crucible of people with such challenges”, Mr. Monney stated.
A press Attaché at the US Embassy in Ghana, Kevin Brosnahan lauded the collaborators for initiating the programme.
