The President of the Africa Institute of Journalism and Communication, Mr Kojo Yankah, has kicked against the School Feeding Programme.
He said it is ill-informed and unsustainable, and lampooned the media for failing to track its implementation in order to analyze the impact of the programme on the schools and pupils.
He said: "I'm against the School Feeding Programme. They should create school farms to teach school children how to farm."
Mr Yankah, who doubles as the Board Chairman of Public Agenda, made this observation at a day’s media training workshop in Accra. The workshop was organised by Public Agenda in collaboration with Rights and Voice Initiative, an NGO, to equip media practitioners with up-to-date information and practices on decentralization.
The workshop was under the theme: "Policing Procurement at the Municipal, Metropolitan and the District Assembly Level."
Stating that the media is skewed toward urban centres, he argued that urbanisation is placing more challenges on local government. The AIJC president described local government as a corporate system that is expected to work as a facilitator.
He said responsible civic journalism involves engaging citizens in active public discussions.
The former MP for Agona Swedru urged the media to embrace pro-active civic journalism since it reconnects the media with the citizenry, and furthers civic culture.
"Lets involved communities in our reportage." He said it was necessary for the media "to create and seize opportunities to set community priorities, local government agenda, public service standards" instead of creating "empty noise."
Mr Yankah noted that the media play dual role of serving as a watchdog for citizens’ rights and government accountability as well as acting as a responsible corporate citizen in a democracy.
"Local government and media have joint responsibility to communicate the laws to the citizens as well as seek their reactions to laws. Media should encourage dialogue with the citizens over laws governing the environment."
Credit: The Statesman
DISCLAIMER: The Views, Comments, Opinions, Contributions and Statements made by Readers and Contributors on this platform do not necessarily represent the views or policy of Multimedia Group Limited.
Tags:
Latest Stories
-
3Music Awards makes a triumphant return with 2024 edition
32 mins -
We’ll teach you how to do Galamsey without destroying water bodies – Prof Opoku-Agyemang
32 mins -
Doing songs about galamsey isn’t enough – Amerado
45 mins -
The WordPress vs. WP Engine drama, explained
49 mins -
Over hundred kids participate in third edition of Super Hero Karate Championship
1 hour -
Turning Trash Into Treasure In Ghana: A public-private sector collaboration in an AI-enhanced recycling environment for a sustainable future
1 hour -
Thirty killed in one county after hurricane swamps North Carolina
1 hour -
Develop yourselves for opportunities under Bawumia’s government – NPP ‘Girls Girls’ told
1 hour -
Key takeaways from the 2024 Women’s Premier Super Cup
1 hour -
World Rabies Day: Veterinary Service wants dog owners arrested over failure to vaccinate pets
1 hour -
George Jahraa blasts music industry over ‘Adaadamu’ tag for veterans
1 hour -
I may stop music if I get a collaboration with Daddy Lumba – Kweku Darlington
2 hours -
A Cry for Knowledge – Adeɛmbra’s Quest for Education
2 hours -
NASPA elects new national executives for 2024-2025 service year
2 hours -
Amerado explains why he declined Barima Sidney’s feature request
2 hours