The Ghana National Gas Company (Ghana Gas) has announced plans to increase its engagement with the media from once a year to twice annually as part of efforts to strengthen transparency and improve public understanding of its operations.
The company says the move is intended to build a more sustained relationship with journalists, provide timely information on its activities and encourage accurate reporting on developments within the country’s gas processing and transmission sector.
Head of Corporate Affairs at Ghana Gas, Mr Richard Ernest Kirk-Mensah, reaffirmed the company’s commitment to a stronger partnership with media practitioners during a media capacity-building workshop and networking soirée.
He said Ghana Gas wanted journalists to become more familiar with the company’s operations and development objectives rather than engaging them only when breaking news or controversies arise.
Mr Kirk-Mensah explained that the company considered the media an important stakeholder in its growth and recognised its role in informing the public about developments in the energy sector.
He said regular interaction would give journalists a better understanding of Ghana Gas’s technical operations, challenges and contribution to national energy security.
Training to Improve Accuracy of Reporting
The media capacity-building workshop formed part of the company’s efforts to equip journalists with relevant knowledge of its operations and strategic priorities.
The programme provided an opportunity for media practitioners to improve their understanding of the company and the technical processes involved in gas processing and supply.
Mr Kirk-Mensah said a better-informed media would be better positioned to report on the company’s activities with accuracy, context and clarity.
He also encouraged journalists to take advantage of Ghana Gas’s open-door policy by seeking clarification from the company whenever they were uncertain about information relating to its operations.
According to him, direct engagement with the company would help journalists verify information before publication and reduce the risk of inaccurate reporting.
Building a Long-Term Media Partnership
The company said its approach was to move away from occasional, issue-driven engagements towards a more consistent relationship with the media.
Following the training sessions, participants joined a networking soirée that provided an opportunity for journalists and Ghana Gas officials to interact and strengthen professional relationships.
The engagement brought together media practitioners and company representatives to discuss ways of improving communication and cooperation.
Ghana Gas said the planned biannual engagements would provide additional opportunities for journalists to obtain updates, ask questions and seek clarification on matters of public interest.
The initiative forms part of the company’s broader efforts to promote transparency, improve information sharing and strengthen public understanding of its role in Ghana’s energy sector.
Story by Osman Issah Abadoo
