Journalists encouraged to do quality reportage on science and technology

The media fraternity has been urged to develop interest and exhibit professionalism in Science and Technology reporting. 

This would not only demystify the issues that border on the subject but will also go a long way to cure the cynicism and mistrust between scientists and journalists. 

The call came when the Open Forum on Agricultural Biotechnology OFAB Ghana Chapter officially launched its 2018  OFAB Media Awards OMA. 

The awards which was outdoored on the theme, "Exemplary Journalism, Credible Science Reporting and better Public Understanding of Science Technology and Innovation," is aimed at promoting credible, evidence-based science-driven information delivery in agricultural biotechnology. 

A former Director-General at the Council for Scientific and Industrial Research, CSIR, Ghana and OFAB Ghana Chapter Programming Committee member, Prof. Walter Sandow Alhassan noted that "these are good moments for Ghana's agriculture in relation to the seed sector recognising its importance for a vibrant agricultural sector." 

He said most farmers in the country currently use the traditional farmer-saved seeds. 

It is estimated that only 5 percent of farmers use certified seeds and that less than 20 percent of the seeds are certified.  

Prof. Alhassan strongly argued that the media has a role in creating necessary awareness in the farmer for the new technology and for its use.

A Senior Scientist at the Science and Technology Policy Research Institute, STEPRI and OFAB Ghana Coordinator, Dr. Richard Ampadu Ameyaw said the awards was set up to encourage journalists to report more on science to engender science-led development. 

"We realise that science reporting is behind while political reporting is all over the place. But if we will see a science led development, more people need to report on the subject," he said.

On the issue of Genetically Modified Organisms Dr. Ameyaw was emphatic that there is nothing dangerous about products developed from GMOs. 

He said over the years, plant species and plant products have been modified in various forms. "People who talk of natural crop; there is nothing like natural crop. 

The crops that we have today have all been modified. What is happening with modern biotechnology is for scientists to go directly into the gene map and change the order of the gene. That is all and there is nothing dangerous about it," he maintained.

President of the Ghana Journalists Association, GJA, Roland Affail Monney encouraged members to submit stories for entry and also do more research in the area of science and technology to help effectively disseminate information on issues on the subject. 

He commended the organisers and call for more of such award schemes to help journalists excel in their fields of endeavor.

Deadline for submission of all entry categories is the 30th  of June, 2018. The stories for the awards should span  a period of one year starting from June 2017 to June 2018. The categories are in newspaper, radio and television.  

Winners in each category will compete with counterparts from other African countries for the overall winners.

Story by: Nana Agyeman-Prempeh
GBCONLINE
---DECRYPTED---