Building Active Citizenship for Social Justice: ActionAid Ghana (AAG) Seeks Media Partnership

The increasing economic inequality, growing gender gap, and escalating injustices around the globe have all recently acted as unceasing reminders of the delay in meeting the 2030 sustainable development plan. Statistics have shown that Africa needs to accelerate progress on SDGs 1, 2, and 17, reverse the downward trend in climate action (Goal 13), and strengthen statistical systems to track performance, especially on good governance (SDG 16), where numerous data limitations impede performance tracking, according to the 2024 Africa Sustainable Development Report (ASDR). The report also shows that, of the 32 measurable SDG targets, less than 6% are expected to be accomplished in Africa by 2030. Twenty-one of the remaining quantifiable targets must be met locally, and the negative trends for eight need to be reversed.

In a bid to seek stakeholder partnerships, ActionAid Ghana has engaged the media through a national media liaison meeting held on July 8, 2024, to effectively discuss trends and strategies useful for achieving a just, feminist, and resilient Ghana. Twelve (12) selected media reporters were invited to the meeting.

Held at the national office in Accra, the event saw the participation of reporters from TV3 Network, Ghana News Agency, Daily Graphic, Ghana Broadcasting Corporation, Citi TV, GHOne TV, Ghana Business News Online, Business and Financial Times, Asaase Radio, Sankofa Radio, and Joy News Online. Similar meetings have taken place at the regional programmes of the Upper East, Upper West, Northern, and Bono Regions.

ActionAid's commitment to promoting social justice, gender equality, and the eradication of poverty was reaffirmed by Justin Bayor, Head of Programmes, Campaigns, and Innovations (HoPCI). He emphasised that meaningful engagements, accountability procedures, and the development of solidarity are what lead to sustained system change, rather than it happening in a vacuum. He also reiterated that promoting development alternatives that integrate and foster the growth of feminist, just, resilient, and sustainable social transformation is essential for creating fair opportunities and fostering a society free from injustices, gender inequality, and poverty—the overarching goal of ActionAid Ghana.

Mr. Bayor also urged the media to collaborate more closely with social service providers such as AAG in order to promote development efforts and ensure that policies are transparent and effectively implemented. He emphasised that in order to improve outcomes and communications, social issues and corporate governance must be closely related, emphasising AAG's commitment to strengthening its media relations and collaborations.

The Quality Knowledge Manager, Malik Gbene, stressed the significance of media partnerships to drive social change, hence the quest to expose targeted journalists to AAG’s programme priorities, key interventions being implemented, and emerging successes and lessons. He briefed attendees on significant initiatives and successes that have been attained over the years, around the thematic priorities of promoting the green economy and resilient livelihoods, advancing women’s rights and decent work, and spearheading active citizenship, accountability, and gender-responsive public services. 

Eugenia Ayagiba, Women’s Rights Campaign Manager, also urged the attendees to unite in a powerful coalition for the fight for women's rights concerns. She charged them to advocate for policies and initiatives that protect the rights of minorities, women, and children, including lending support to ensure the reconsideration of the Criminal Offences (Amendment) Act 2023, a Private Members Anti-Witchcraft Bill, passed by Parliament but assent declined by the President, citing financial implications on the consolidate fund.

Delivering a keynote message at the meeting, the AAG Country Director, Mr. John Nkaw, stressed the need for the media to hold duty-bearers accountable for social injustices. He explained that being an active citizen as a media person requires standing up, pushing the social justice agenda with your platform, and working to effect positive change.

Participants also shared their challenges in following up and pushing for prioritisation of discussions on some social development projects and assignments, attributing it to the newsroom and editorial policies and structure. However, they informed ActionAid of their commitment to actively collaborate to collectively support the fight for social justice and poverty eradication.