By Nana Kwame Bediako
Ghana’s first female Chief of Staff, Hon. Akosua Frema Osei Opare, launched the official opening of the 3rd African Media Convention as she represented the President of the Republic of Ghana, H.E. Nana Akuffo Addo, as the chief guest speaker of the event.
The opening ceremony, which was held at the Accra International Conference Centre on Thursday, May 16, 2024, saw some brilliant and experienced speakers throw some expert light on media freedom and environmental sustainability with the aim of shaping the African media space in a progressive way.
Hon. Akosua Frema Osei Opare urged the media to play a vital role in combating climate change as it continues to look out for societies through its accurate and timely dissemination of information.
She added that the press, which is considered as the fourth estate, constitutes a segment that has an indirect but influential role in political systems and their democracies.
“In the area of climate change Journalists play a crucial role in cantering false narratives about climate change and environmental crises through proactive, accurate, and objective reporting. Journalistic reporting is, therefore, key to promoting a healthy information ecosystem. The media has a special duty to reflect on the exercise of journalism and freedom of expression, which aim at combating global environmental crises,” said Hon. Akosua Frema Opare.
She added that environmental awareness is key to ensuring that people understand how their actions affect the environment; therefore, the media holds a key responsibility in keeping everyone informed about the adverse effects of human activities and, ultimately, the protection of the environment by educating the public on environmental issues, which can positively impact society largely.
Hon. Akosua Frema Osei Opare further called on collaboration between media organisations, civil society organisations, governments, and international bodies to promote press freedom and freedom of expression as the media continue to raise awareness regarding threats to journalists reporting on the environment.