From Edmond Gyebi

Media practitioners in the Northern Region have been encouraged to limit their political reportage, and rather partner with Civil Society Organisations (CSOs) to champion the cause of deprived people in society.

Even though about 85 percent of the people in the north live in the rural communities, the concentration of the media and other advocacy groups are always on the urban centres. This has therefore, deprived most of the communities the opportunity to air their views appropriately on issues that affect their lives.

At a day’s media review meeting in Tamale, organised by the Ghana Developing Communities Association (GDCA), and aimed at strengthening the relationship and partnership between the media and other CSOs in the north, it was discovered that political issues always take dominance over developmental issues in the Ghanaian media.

As a result, the media practitioners at the meeting resolved to redirect their attention, largely on development and other social issues that would transform the lives of the deprived people, rather than reporting on the “usual lies” of politicians.
The majority of them openly admitted not doing much in highlighting or reporting on the poor road network, lack of potable water, inadequate educational and health facilities, and the abject poverty confronting the people in the region.

The media is said to be the pacesetter, and represents the voice of the voiceless in society, but in Ghana, for instance, the media seems to dwell much on political issues, or follow politicians, rather than the vulnerable in society. As a result, most pressing issues confronting the rural dwellers are often left unattended to by the duty bearers.

It is in this light that the Ghana Developing Communities Association (GDCA) is wooing the media to commit itself to CSOs working in the interest of the poor in society.

But are the media practitioners ready to sacrifice, or go extra mile to promote the interest of the rural people, considering the poor road networks, and the lack of resources that also pose serious challenge to them?
The Programme Officer of GDCA, Mrs. Rosemond Kuma, was of the view that the lives of the people in the Northern Regions would be better if the media collaborates with the CSOs.

She said the GDCA was

 highly focused on promoting development among the rural folks, especially, women groups. The Association also supports good initiatives of the government geared towards the development of the rural people.

One of the participants,

 Salifu Nurudeen Mohammed, a reporter of the Daily Graphic newspaper, was particularly impressed about the steps being taken by the GDCA to strengthen its relationship with the media in the interest of the ordinary and underprivileg

ed people in society.

He however, did not blame most journalists who shy away from reporting from the rural areas, due the fact that most of the media organisations were highly under-resourced, and could not, therefore, support their reporters to carry out such reports.  Mr. N

urudeen, therefore, appealed to the NGOs and CSOs, like GDCA, to also find ways of assisting journalists who have an interest in rural reporting, in order to bring about mutual benefits.

However, the Northern Regional Correspondent of the Enquirer newspaper, Francis Npong, was awarded by the GDCA for distinguishing himself in rural and development reporting, especially, on the activities of the GDCA.