The Ghana Journalists Association (GJA) in partnership with the US Embassy Ghana has trained some selected media personnel ahead of a peaceful election coverage before, during and after the 2024 general.

The training dubbed: "GJA/US Embassy election 2024 project: Journalistic for peaceful discourse." 

The motive is to promote a peaceful Journalistic media platforms ahead of 2024 general elections.

The media practitioners drawn from the Ashanti, Bono, Bono East and Ahafo regions which forms the zone three (3) of the nationwide training gathered at the Camp Martin Hotel in Fumesua-Kumasi to undergo the one day training held on Friday February 9, 2024.

Dignitaries in attendance were the representatives from the US Embassy Ghana, the National and some regional executives of the GJA, the National Media Commission, the Ghana Police Service, the Electoral Commission, a communication lecturer with the KNUST, representatives of both New Patriotic Party and the National Democratic Congress.

Journalists were trained in fact checking to counter misinformation/disinformation and mal-information in election coverage, reporting on election process; what the Journalist must know and the role of the Police and Media in election coverage.

Chairman of the Ashanti regional branch of the Ghana Journalists Association, King Hope in his welcome address said, GJA has been very focus in the safety of Journalists over the last few months.

"2024 is the crucial year for all Journalists in Ghana but we need to have a fearless and independent Journalism", he noted.

Mr Albert Kwabena Dwumfour, President of the Ghana Journalists Association (GJA) expressed optimism that the training would be a game changer in how elections are covered and would also promote violence free and credible elections coverage through Journalists who use professional ethics in the country.

He explained, "In the era of social media where all manner of fake news are channeled, this workshop would be beneficial to the Journalist to detect the actual news from the fake ones."

"GJA has the mandate to promote freedom of speech in the preparedness of the task ahead, therefore the training would offer professional development to all media practitioners in all angles."

Sompaonline.com/Akua Nyarko