In continual pursuance of good governance in the extractive sector, Penplusbytes together with Natural Resource Governance Institute (NRGI) is undertaking the “Strengthening Media Oversight of the Extractive Sectors: REPORTING ON OIL, GAS AND MINING” Course B training workshop that aims at the building the capacity of journalists to positively influence the transparent and accountable management of mining, oil and gas in Ghana from 15th - 23rd of September 2014 at the Penplusbytes’ New Media Hub.
The 10-day training programme is packed with carefully designed learning opportunities activity list including expert presentations by top industry players and practical field visits to Western region, Ghana’s key oil and gas production region, as well as meet with community members and leaders to discuss pertinent issues affecting the exploitation, utilization, benefits, and challenges of oil and gas from the affected population perspective. The workshop builds on an earlier programme for Ugandans, Tanzanians and Ghanaians Journalists held at the Africa Centre for Media Excellence (ACME) in Kampala, Uganda in June 2014.
Kwami Ahibenu, II, President of Penplusbytes said “the training programme is simply a testament to our recognition of the importance of the role of a well-informed media in ensuring that Ghana reaps the utmost benefit of her natural resources exploitation through training a knowledgeable breed of committed Journalists in the media to uphold and help safeguard the advantages that would accrue from the sector by first, acting as watchdogs over the management process and then pulling the larger citizenry along on that mission. ”.
Participants for the workshop are drawn from various media across the country and includes Adams Kodjo, GNA; Dominic Hlordzi, GBC; Adu Koranteng, New Crusading Guide; Sheila Willaims, Business Day newspaper; Isaac Robert Aidoo, The Finder; Kofi Adu Domfeh, Luv fm; Malise Otoo, Spynews Agency; Mark Boye, The Enquirer and Marlvin James Dadzie, New Crusading Guide. Dominic Hlordzi participant form Ghana Broadcasting Corporation (GBC), said “the oil and gas sector is a complex and specialized industry that requires efficient reporting and this training programme will equip us journalists to police the country’s oil and gas industry and ensure accountability, transparency, as well as understand how the industry works”
Mohammed Amin Adam, Africa Centre for Energy Policy (ACEP), Emmanuel Kuyole, NRGI; Dr S.K Donyinah, KNUST; Prof Kwaku Appiah- Adu, Central University College among others are expected to make expert presentations at the workshop.
The NRGI together with Penplusbytes and other partners have, over the last 4 years, trained over 100 Journalists in enhancing their ability and effectively inform citizens on the dynamics of the extractive sector while holding government and companies in the sector to account.
ABOUT
Penplusbytes (www.penplusbytes.org) is a leading organization in Africa working in 3 areas: governance and accountability, new media and innovations as well as oil, gas and mining. It consists of a network of media organizations and journalists interested in using ICTs to effectively advance high quality journalism.
The Natural Resource Governance Institute is a non-profit policy institute and grant-making organization that promotes effective, transparent and accountable management of oil, gas and mineral resources for the public good. Through capacity building, technical assistance, research and advocacy, the NRGI help countries to realize the development benefits of their natural resource wealth.
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