Journalist train on Oil gas and mining in Accra Ghana

 By Taibot Marko

Twenty four journalist from three countries of Uganda Tanzania and Ghana are undergoing training in oil, gas and mining in the capital of Ghana Accra. The training is organized by the Natural Resource Governance Institute (NRGI) in collaboration with local implementing partners – African Centre for Media Excellence in Uganda, Penplusbytes in Ghana, and Journalists’ Environmental Association of Tanzania. According to George Lugalambi, the media capacity development officer for natural resource governance institute the goal of the training is to introduce journalists who cover the extractive industry to the critical issues surrounding the exploitation, management, and utilization of oil, gas, and mineral resources in their countries, enriched with a global perspective.

The journalist are expected to acquire basic knowledge needed to understand what is important in oil, gas, and mining. And become proficient in spotting lines of inquiry they can develop into reports capable of increasing citizens’ understanding and triggering public debate on extractive issues.   

Some of the journalist have are attending the training shared experience Justice Lee Adoboe a Ghanaian writing for a Chinese based media Xinhua news agency said, as a watch dog and being the mouth piece for the voiceless, the training will enhance his knowledge and skills in report effectively about oil and gas in Ghana as it is difficult to report about a subject matter that journalist do not understand.

Ignatius Bahizi a BBC reporter based in Kamapala Uganda remarked that, the training has come time especially for his country Uganda where extraction has not yet started because this will make him understand the terminologies in the extractive industry. Many citizens even do not understand this sector and sanitizing the journalist will have impact. 

Bahizi comments Natural resource governance institute for building the capacity of journalist in this industry.

Silvia Mwehori Tanzanian journalist working for Mlimani media of Dar-es-salam university said she has learnt a lot from the training especially legal fram work gorverning the extractive industry many Tanzania journalist including her do not understand the sector well but now she is empowered to report better at home.

After the training in Accra Ghana, another follow up training will be done at the various countries.