Be interested in mining, oil and gas issues – Journalists urged

Dr Steve Manteaw, Chairman of the Civil Society Platform on Oil and Gas (CSPOG), an organization that seeks to ensure transparency in the receipts and payments of the oil and gas, has advised journalists to be interested in mining, oil and gas issues.

He said, “Journalists are first and foremost Ghanaians and any decision taken by our politicians affects them first as citizens and then as Journalists.”

Dr Manteaw gave the advice on Thursday at an inception meeting of a group of journalists passionate about reporting on the extractive industry.

The group, Ghana Network of Extractive Journalists (G-NEJ), met to discuss how to build capacity to enable them properly understand the extractive industry in order to enhance their reportage on the subject.

Dr Manteaw noted that most at times journalists were left behind when important meetings and training on the oil and gas sector were held, “yet the public expects journalists to be on top of issues and report accurately”.

He, therefore, advised the group to build themselves into a formidable force and ensure that they were not left out in contributing to the development of the extractive industry.

Mr George Mireku Duker, also a member of the CSPOG, stressed on the need to build capacities, especially at the local level to enable Ghanaians to effectively participate in the development of the extractive industry.

Mr Frederick Asiamah, President of the Ghana Network of Extractive Journalists, said the group was ready to work together with all sector players to enable them give balance and accurate reportage.

He, therefore, appealed to all sector players including the Ghana Gas Company, the Ghana National Petroleum Company, Ghana Chamber of Mines and other groups to engage the Network in their meetings and training programmes.

Source: GNA