In a strategic initiative to strengthen health reporting and public health communication, the Ghana Health Service (GHS), in collaboration with Jhpiego, has successfully concluded a capacity‑building workshop designed to equip media practitioners with the knowledge, skills, and ethical grounding needed for accurate, impactful health journalism.
The one‑day workshop, held in Kumasi, brought together journalists and communication professionals from a cross‑section of Ghana’s media landscape to address emerging challenges in health reporting and to promote responsible coverage of health issues that affect the everyday lives of Ghanaians.
Recognising the vital role of the media in shaping public understanding and influencing health behaviours, the training emphasised the principles of ethical reporting, factual accuracy, and contextualised storytelling. Participants were taken through interactive sessions on the use of credible sources, interpretation of health data, effective communication of complex health concepts, and the avoidance of misinformation and sensationalism — all crucial competencies in today’s information environment.
Speakers highlighted the importance of evidence‑based journalism in strengthening public trust and supporting national health goals. They underscored journalists’ responsibility to uphold professional standards, particularly when reporting on health policy, clinical findings, public health interventions, and disease outbreaks.
Representatives from both GHS and Jhpiego encouraged attendees to apply the skills gained to improve coverage of priority health issues — from communicable and non‑communicable diseases to maternal and child health, immunisation campaigns, and health systems performance.
The workshop also served as a platform for fostering stronger collaboration between health professionals and the media, ensuring that newsrooms have improved access to accurate information and expert perspectives from within the health sector.
By enhancing the capacity of media practitioners to report responsibly on health matters, the initiative aligns with broader efforts to promote health literacy, combat misinformation, and support evidence‑informed public discourse that ultimately contributes to improved health outcomes for all Ghanaians.
