By Seraphine Nyuiemedi
Following a pivotal two-day workshop that brought together about 50 journalists from across Ghana, media professionals are now better equipped to champion healthcare accountability and accessibility in their communities.
Organised by the African Media and Malaria Research Network (AMMREN) in collaboration with the Ghana Health Service, the event aimed to empower media representatives to play a vital role in advancing the country’s goals for universal health coverage.
Participants received training on a variety of critical topics, including Ghana’s primary healthcare system and the Community-Based Health Planning and Services (CHPS) concept, as well as an overview of the Expertise France Community Scorecard project and Ghana’s community scorecard. They also learned how to access data and information from scorecard web platforms, media ethics, and best practices for reporting on vulnerable groups.
Additionally, discussions emphasised the essential role of the media in the Community Scorecard (CSC) project.
The Executive Secretary of AMMREN, Dr. Charity Binka, underscored the urgency of the initiative, given the limited time left to meet the global target of universal health coverage by 2030.
“With only six years remaining, the media’s involvement is crucial for ensuring accountability among healthcare providers and informing the public,” she stated.
The Community Scorecard, which is supported by the African Leaders Malaria Alliance and funded by Expertise France, enables communities to assess and provide feedback on the healthcare services they receive.
“Research shows that people depend on the media for health information, and journalists are essential for amplifying community voices,” Dr. Binka explained.
The workshop held in Accra equipped journalists with the tools necessary to report on healthcare gaps, advocate for improvements, and foster transparency in health service delivery.
