The first in- person training session of the Africa Extractives Media Fellowship has successfully ended, with both organizers and participating Journalists commending the program’s impact and relevance.
The two-day training at the University of Ghana Business School, brought together selected journalists from different media organizations across Ghana, each chosen for their commitment to reporting on the extractive industries.
The sessions focused on deepening understanding of the Extractive sector. The fellows learnt from specialists’ from PIAC, Atlantic Lithium, CDD Ghana and the ethical use of AI Tools in Journalism.
Speaking at the closing ceremony on Thursday, the program lead, Mr Kwakye Afreh-Nuamah expressed satisfaction with the level of engagement shown by the fellows. “The fellows have engaged really well with the technical people who came to engage them, I’m pretty confident that the fellows have learnt something new which will impact the stories they tell in the extractive sector in the months to come “he said.
Mr. Kwakye also hinted at upcoming activities, noting that, the fellowship will soon include site visits to mining sites “we are looking at organizing field visits to some of the mines so that fellows will have firsthand opportunity to see what the extraction process looks like “he added.
Fellows also described the training as both educative and productive.” It has been insightful, it is great that this training has been put together, so that we can broaden our knowledge and effectively report on the extractive sector” Daryl Kwawu a journalist from Joy News.
Another fellow, Clankson Acheampong from Asaase Radio highlighted the value of networking and shared learning. “It has been enriching to learn from colleagues from other media houses. The fellowship is building a strong community of informed journalists “
The Africa Extractive Media Fellowship is an initiative aimed at strengthening media coverage of Africa’s natural resources. The initiative, the first of its kind, aims to equip 30 selected journalists with the skill and mentorship needed to report effectively on Africa’s Extractive industries.
As the fellowship progresses, participants are expected to produce investigative pieces and participate in mentorship sessions with industry experts. The next phase of the program is scheduled to begin in the coming weeks.