By Jones Anlimah
The United States Agency for International Development (USAID), through its Performance Accountability Activity (PAA), has held a two-day regional media training workshop for Journalists. The capacity training was aimed at empowering journalists to advocate for improved public services. The event, held at Ho in the Volta Region, brought together 28 journalists from the Oti and Volta Regions.
Themed “Strengthening Media-Civil Society Partnerships for Effective Public Service Delivery Advocacy,” the workshop focused on enhancing the media’s role in amplifying the voices of civil society organisations (CSOs) to push for better public service delivery. Key areas of concern included education, health, water, sanitation, hygiene, fisheries, and agriculture.
The Chief of Party for PAA, Linda Ofori-Kwafo, in a remark, emphasised the critical role of an informed media in promoting accountability in local governance. “An informed media is essential for promoting accountability in public service delivery,” she stated.
She also underscored the importance of bridging the gap between journalists and civil society to ensure sustainable governance at the community level.
The workshop addressed knowledge gaps among media practitioners and offered insights into the complexities of reporting on public services and local governance. It featured both theoretical lessons and practical exercises, with interactive sessions led by experienced media professionals. Participants also explored gender-sensitive reporting strategies and ways to strengthen partnerships with CSOs.
CSO partners from the Volta and Oti Regions, including Global Action for Women Empowerment (GLOWA), Africa Disability Institute (ADI), and Rural Health Organisation (ROHEO), participated in the event, along with representatives from Democracy International and the Volta Regional Coordinating Council.
USAID’s PAA plans to host five additional workshops, aiming to train about 140 journalists across 70 districts in Ghana. These efforts are part of a broader initiative to ensure accountable and high-quality public service delivery across the country.
The Performance Accountability Activity (PAA) is a five-year project funded by USAID and implemented by Democracy International. It seeks to collaborate with the Government of Ghana and several local organisations, including civil society groups, to advocate for transparent and accountable public services across the country.
