In October 2024, YEFL-Ghana organized a Community Journalism Training, bringing together representatives from various selected districts in the Northern, Northeast, and Savannah regions to equip them with fundamental journalism skills and social media expertise.
Conducted in two cohorts from 1st-3rd October and 6th-9th October at the TIICLS Guesthouse in Tamale, this initiative aimed to empower community journalists to adeptly cover local issues, amplify marginalized voices, craft compelling narratives about communities, and hold local authorities accountable.
The training, facilitated by Albert Futukpor, Communications and Advocacy Coordinator for the E4L Programme, covered essential topics.
Day one introduced participants to journalism and media literacy, while day two focused on social media journalism. Investigative journalism techniques were explored on day three.
9thThis comprehensive training equipped participants with the tools, knowledge and skills necessary to excel in community journalism.
The first cohort, held from 1st-3rd October, consisted Mohammed Kamil and Abukari Sanatu.
The second cohort, from 6th-9th October, consisted Alhassan Abdul-Rahaman and Ocran Portia of the Yendi Youth Parliament. These four individuals were selected to join YEFL-Ghana’s ongoing effort in empowering youth to drive change.
The training objectives were clear, which are to enhance participants’ understanding of basic journalism skills, equip them with social media expertise, and empower them to cover local issues effectively. By achieving these goals, YEFL-Ghana aimed to amplify marginalized communities’ voices and concerns, and hold local authorities accountable.
During the training, participants showed great interest and commitment. The interactive sessions and group talks created a friendly team spirit, letting participants share their thoughts and ideas. The trainer’s knowledge and guidance made sure everyone learned in a helpful and supportive setting.
As a result of this training, participants are expected to gain a deeper understanding of media ethics and best practices, enabling them to effectively utilize social media platforms to tell compelling community stories.
They will confidently cover local issues and events, shedding light on the concerns and voices of marginalized communities. Armed with new skills, participants will hold local authorities accountable, ensuring transparency and responsible governance.
Ultimately, they will craft captivating stories about their communities that resonate with the public, sparking interest and driving positive change. This will empower participants to become influential community journalists, making a meaningful impact in their local areas.
To keep the energy going, YEFL-Ghana should consider offering more training opportunities to help community journalists build on their skills.
Partnering with local media outlets would also help get their stories out to a wider audience.
By taking these steps, YEFL-Ghana will show its dedication to supporting community journalists and making a real difference in local communities.
This will help create a strong and vibrant network of storytellers who can hold leaders accountable and bring important issues to light.
In conclusion, YEFL-Ghana’s Community Journalism Training was a huge success! Participants gained valuable tools, skills and knowledge to amplify marginalized voices with captivating stories to promote community development.
YEFL-Ghana’s commitment will make a lasting difference, promoting transparency, accountability, and fair representation. By supporting local media, YEFL-Ghana will continue to drive positive change, shape local development stories, and hold leaders accountable, leaving a lasting legacy in community journalism.
Authored by: Mohammed Kamil
General Secretary (Yendi Youth Parliament)
Published by: Mohammed A-Rahaman
Public Relations Officer (PRO)
Yendi Youth Parliament