Media fails on climate change in Ghana

Information on the phenomenon of climate change is a great weapon in the fight against the threats it represents. However, there appears to be little information and education on the impact of climate change on the environment and our collective existence.

Only a few people understand the science of climate change and its implications for our lives. A British Council report titled “Ghana Talks Climate” found that “among the Ghanaian public there is limited awareness of the concepts of climate change…” The population’s response to climate change is hampered by the lack of information on the subject.

The Ghanaian public depends daily on the media for information. The average Ghanaian follows newspapers, online portals, or watches TV for information. Climate change has become topical in the international media space. The predominance of discussions on climate change echoed the role of the media in educating the public on issues of national and global importance. Unfortunately, the awareness of climate change and the problems that accompany it in Ghana is rather appalling. The deafening media silence on this important issue is negatively impacting the country’s mitigation efforts.

Climate change has become an undisputed fact regarding our current livelihoods. In recent times, Ghanaian farmers have observed a reduction in crop yields largely because they are unable to predict the season. The onset of the rainy season is mostly delayed with an extended period of the dry season. Fishermen now have less catch while our environment and our survival have become vulnerable to disasters and tragedies, now and in the future, due to climate change. Flooding has become common whenever it rains. We are on the eve of a serious crisis evident from natural disasters in the country.

The power of the media in Ghana in setting the agenda on national issues was highlighted in the fight against illegal mining. Illegal mining has been a thorn in political administrations, but has been highlighted by the media leading the crusade against the threat of illegal mining.

The media are thought to be interested in news that sells. However, news relating to climate change is considered a hard sell. Even with that, climate change could be considered news of human interest. The reality is that climate change is scientific and journalists lack the capacity to communicate scientific information to the public. It is also worrying that media professionals are working under strict deadlines and not having enough time to conduct climate research and reports. There is therefore an urgent need for media houses to build the capacity of journalists on environmental issues, in particular climate change.

According to the Notre Dame Global Adaptation Initiative Index (ND-GAIN 2020), Ghana is ranked 112^e out of 181 countries with a score of 0.465902 and a score of 0.352838 for vulnerability and climate change preparedness respectively. ND-GAIN ranks countries according to their vulnerability to climate change, measures exposure, sensitivity and preparedness. ND-GAIN scores (2020) place Ghana at high level of climate vulnerability with low level of preparedness.

Several interventions have been put in place to mitigate the impact of climate change. But until the public is made aware of impact, mitigation and adaptation measures, Ghana’s fight against climate change will not go far. The media must assume their role of educating the public.

Climate change data is a manifestation of an environmental crisis. If we pretend to work, the price to pay is enormous, as Pope Francis said: “Every year the problems get worse. We are at the limits. If I can use a strong word, I would say we are on the verge of suicide.