KASA HOLDS ROUND TABLE DISCUSSION WITH GHANAIAN JOURNALISTS ON NRE.

Kasa, a non governmental Organisation have held a day round table discussion workshop for Ghanaian Journalists on Natural Resources and Environment (NRE) in Accra. Journalists were drawn from both the print and electronic media based in Accra.The theme for discussion was "Natural Resource And Environment: Media As An Effective Advocacy Partner In Shaping Public Opinion And Influencing Policy". The objectives of the round table workshop is to provide the platform for a constructive discussion on the media’s role in shaping public opinion and influencing policy discussions, thus helping to identify the nature and modalities for active engagement of the media in NRE discussions. Specifically to identify challenges needed to be addressed in order to make the use of the media as an effective advocacy tool in the NRE sector, raise awareness about the opportunities for the media to enhance accountability and sustainable exploitation of mineral and natural resources including forest products and finally stimulate thinking and interest about new partnerships with civil society, that both media and CSOs can work together in a concerted effort to influence policy in the NRE sector.The media and campaign Director,ISODEC Dr.Steve Manteaw who was the lead discussant made a presentation on "the pursuit of good governance in natural resources extraction" which includes, gold mining and the illusive pursuit of development,the change of maximizing benefits from natural extractions,Ghana's EITI and natural resource Governance and some global initiatives to reverse the resource curse syndrome among others. He advised Journalists to do more analysis when writing their stories. Giving an overview of the Kasa Program,madam Sarah naa dedei Abgbey of SNV said Kasa's specific objectives of operation is to promote an evidence based research and advocacy on NREG policy matrice targets and NRE issues in general,strengthen capacities and learning mechanisms,managing and diburse grants and document lessons learned from kasa.Mr. George Sarpong, the Executive Director,Media commission of Ghana led Journalists through a presentation on "media reporting and natyral resource and environment:what makes the news? ".Kasa has also hosted a broader civil society consultation forum on NRE governanace and civil society engagement in the sector January this year. Kasa means "speak".

BY:MICHAEL F. AMEDOR