The initiative was discussed during a courtesy call by IFEJ on the Minister for Lands and Natural Resources, Emmanuel Armah-Kofi Buah, to introduce the Institute and explore areas of cooperation with the Ministry and its agencies.
The engagement focused on improving journalists’ access to technical information, strengthening their understanding of sector policies and reforms, and promoting accurate, evidence-based reporting on the natural resources sector.
IFEJ proposed the establishment of an annual conference with the Ministry on mining, gold and natural resource governance, alongside training workshops, research publications and field visits to mining communities, galamsey-affected areas and sites undergoing land reclamation.
The Institute also proposed closer engagement with agencies under the Ministry and the possible signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to provide a framework for sustained collaboration.
IFEJ expressed its readiness to support public education by helping communicate government policies and initiatives through informed and responsible journalism.
Minister backs specialised journalism
Buah welcomed the initiative and expressed support for closer engagement between the Ministry and journalists specialising in economic and financial reporting.
He outlined ongoing and proposed reforms in the lands, forestry and mining sectors, including efforts to modernise land administration through technology, restore degraded forests and strengthen governance and accountability in mining.
The Minister highlighted the Tree for Life initiative, which seeks to restore degraded forest areas and promote tree planting, including among schoolchildren.
On mining, he said a new mining policy had received Cabinet approval, while further reforms were being pursued to strengthen governance, increase local participation and encourage responsible investment in the sector.
The proposed reforms also include community mining agreements designed to establish clearer development commitments between mining companies and host communities.
Other measures seek to strengthen Ghanaian participation in the mining industry, support medium-scale mining and increase local content. Proposed changes to mining licence arrangements are also intended to discourage speculative acquisition of licences and encourage genuine investment in mineral development.
Buah underscored the importance of specialised journalism in helping the public understand the complexities of the sector, including government policies, implementation challenges and the economic and social implications of mining and other natural resource activities.
Workshop to deepen journalists’ knowledge
As an initial step towards formal collaboration, the Minister agreed to facilitate a half-day workshop for IFEJ members, bringing together officials of the Ministry and heads of relevant agencies.
The workshop is expected to provide journalists with detailed briefings on sector policies, ongoing reforms, achievements and challenges, while offering an opportunity to ask questions and identify areas requiring further investigation and reporting.
The Minister also expressed his willingness to support subsequent engagements between IFEJ and the relevant agencies.
The proposed collaboration is expected to help journalists develop a deeper understanding of natural resource governance, improve access to technical expertise and produce more informed reports on developments in the lands, forestry and mining sectors.
For IFEJ, the engagement forms part of efforts to strengthen economic journalism in Ghana through professional development, institutional partnerships and responsible reporting on issues critical to the country’s development.
