The Forestry Commission has urged journalists across Ghana to take the front seat in the fight against climate change by giving climate-focused stories the prominence they deserve.
Speaking at the TN Africa Digital Journalism Summit 2025, under the theme “Shaping Africa’s Future Through Climate Journalism”, the Commission’s Deputy CEO, Elikem Kotoko, emphasized that the media remains “a powerful force in shaping public awareness and influencing environmental policy”.
He challenged journalists to go beyond routine news coverage and commit to in-depth climate reporting that explores “the causes, effects, and solutions” to environmental challenges confronting the nation.
“Climate change is not a distant threat; it’s already impacting our environment, economy, and livelihoods,” Mr Kotoko noted, calling for stronger partnerships between media houses, environmental experts, and policymakers.
Mr Kotoko also reaffirmed the Commission’s resolve to clamp down on illegal mining, stating that “the institution is seriously fighting against galamsey activities that continue to destroy our forests and water bodies.”
Her Excellency Juliette Bynoe-Sutherland, Barbados High Commissioner to Ghana, stressed that climate change is deeply intertwined with human behaviour. “We must act decisively to prevent further damage. Climate change is not just about the planet; it’s about people,” she said.
Adding a communications perspective, Emerald Apaw, a communications expert, highlighted that climate journalism should focus more on impact than competition. “Climate change should not be a race among media houses,” she said. “It’s time we equip the youth with knowledge—they are not only the future but also the now.”
Apaw described the climate conversation as both “an environmental crisis and a storytelling crisis”, urging journalists to craft compelling narratives that inform, inspire, and drive change. “If we tell it right, Africa won’t just adapt to the future—we’ll define it.”
The summit ended with a unified call for the African media to embrace climate journalism as a catalyst for change, ensuring the continent’s stories inspire both local and global climate action.
