As World Environment Day 2026 is marked on Friday, the Ashanti Regional branch of the Ghana Journalists Association (GJA) is partnering Reporters Without Borders (RSF Germany) to strengthen journalists’ capacity in environmental reporting and personal safety.
The training programme, which coincides with the global observance, is designed to equip selected journalists with the skills needed to report accurately on environmental issues while ensuring their safety in often risky field environments.
The initiative comes amid growing national concerns over environmental degradation, particularly illegal small-scale mining (galamsey), which continues to dominate public discourse.
Ghana’s extractive sector remains a key driver of economic growth, but also poses environmental, social and governance challenges that demand responsible and informed media coverage.
Organisers say journalists play a crucial role in shaping public understanding of environmental issues and influencing actions aimed at protecting natural resources and promoting sustainable development.
The training will feature experts including the Ashanti Regional Director of the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), Dr. Jackson Adiyah Nyantakyi; environmental journalist, Erastus Asare Donkor; criminologist at KNUST, Dr. Jones Opoku-Ware; and Ashanti GJA Chairman, Kofi Adu Domfeh.
Participants will be trained in environmental journalism, responsible mining reportage, risk assessment, conflict-sensitive reporting, and personal safety in volatile operational areas.
In recent years, journalists covering illegal mining and environmental degradation have faced threats, intimidation, and physical attacks, with some sustaining injuries while working in remote communities.
Speaking ahead of the programme, Kofi Adu Domfeh stressed the need to equip journalists with both knowledge and safety awareness.
He said World Environment Day highlights the shared responsibility of protecting the environment, noting that journalists remain key partners in promoting awareness and accountability.
He added that strong environmental journalism is vital for evidence-based decision-making and amplifying community concerns on environmental governance.
The Ashanti GJA–RSF Germany initiative is expected to deepen collaboration between journalists, regulators and mining stakeholders while promoting ethical and fact-based environmental reporting.
The 2026 World Environment Day is being observed under the theme: “Inspired by Nature. For Climate. For Our Future.”
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