Forty journalists from Northern Ghana are set to transform migration coverage across the region after completing a three-day Training of Trainers (ToT) workshop on migration reporting, organized by the International Organization for Migration (IOM) from last month. The workshop equipped participants with concrete tools to produce more accurate, ethical, and human-centered reporting on migration, helping to counter misinformation and promote evidence-based narratives that influence public perception and policy.
The training brought together media professionals from the Ghana Independent Broadcasters Association (GIBA), Media Network on Migration (MENOM), and SDG 8.7 media network. Over the three days, the journalists engaged in interactive sessions and practical exercises on migration dynamics, governance, and ethical standards, with a focus on fact-checking and data-driven storytelling. The training strengthened journalists’ capacity to contextualize migration issues, ensure balanced and credible reporting.
“This training has reshaped how I view migration stories,” said Murtala Issah from the Ghana Broadcasting Corporation (GBC). “It’s not just about numbers or events—it’s about people. Behind every statistic is a human story, and data gives migration a face, a name, and a voice.”
Migration has long shaped Ghana’s economic and social landscape, encompassing cross-border movement, internal, and seasonal movements driven by employment opportunities, environmental factors, and community ties. Media plays a crucial role in framing public understanding of these dynamics, yet migration is often covered through limited or fragmented perspectives, underscoring the need to strengthen media capacity across the country.
Journalists Empowered to Drive Ethical and Informed Migration Reporting
Through this initiative, IOM is bridging those gaps by empowering journalists to act as agents of change, strengthening their ability to report responsibly, highlighting the human dimensions of migration, and fostering informed public dialogue.
“Responsible reporting can change the narrative,” said Fatou Diallo Ndiaye, IOM Ghana Chief of Mission. “By equipping journalists with accurate information and practical tools, we empower them to tell migration stories that inform, educate, and inspire positive action.”
The initiative marks an important step toward building a more informed and responsible media landscape in Northern Ghana. By strengthening journalists’ capacity to report migration accurately and humanely, it contributes to a lasting shift in how migration is understood and portrayed.
To ensure continuity, participants developed three-month personal action plans and a peer mentoring scheme designed to sustain impact beyond the training. They will share their knowledge within their respective organizations and work together to establish a regional network to promote ethical, evidence-based coverage of migration issues. Building on this first training, similar sessions will reach journalists in southern Ghana, ensuring nationwide coverage.
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