Deputy Chief Executive Officer at the HATOF Foundation, Mary-Jane Enchill, has expressed concerns about the limited involvement and capacity retention of the media in climate action communication. She highlighted these issues during the JoyNews National Dialogue on Coordinating Climate Actions, emphasizing the need for a more proactive approach to engaging journalists and media professionals.
Mary-Jane commended the efforts made to involve stakeholders in Ghana’s National Adaptation Plan (NAP) but pointed out a gap in empowering journalists to effectively communicate climate issues. She stressed the importance of training journalists extensively and called for the establishment of dedicated climate change desks within media organizations.
Drawing from her experience in climate and green economy training, Mary-Jane highlighted the challenge of knowledge retention among media professionals. She urged media houses to institutionalize climate reporting and broaden the scope of environmental coverage beyond just sanitation.
Mary-Jane also emphasized the dual responsibility of policymakers and the media in ensuring sustained climate action messaging. She noted the need for greater representation of the media in policy development and formulation processes to enhance the effectiveness of climate communication.
In conclusion, Mary-Jane Enchill’s remarks underscore the vital role of the media in raising awareness about climate change and the need for continuous capacity building and institutional support within the sector. By addressing these issues, the media can play a more significant role in driving climate action and promoting sustainable practices in communities.
