By Hafsa Obeng, GNA
Accra, Oct. 20, GNA – The United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) Monday engaged editors of the Ghana News Agency (GNA) in Accra to deepen existing collaboration and explore opportunities for promoting children’s rights through impactful story writing.
The engagement marks the first in a series of strategic meetings with key media houses in Ghana, aimed at building strong partnerships to advance UNICEF’s mission of ensuring equity and protection for every child.
Madam Ofeibea Baddoo, the Communication Specialist and Media Focal Person at UNICEF, said the Fund had always valued the contribution of GNA to information dissemination and national development.
“It is only right that we begin our engagement series with the GNA, considering its critical role in Ghana’s media landscape,” she said.
“Our work focuses on equity, access to education, nutrition, youth development, social protection, and inclusion. But unfortunately, in our country, when you take out politics and sports, very little attention is paid to children.”
Madam Badoo stressed the important role of UNICEF as the only United Nations agency advocating children’s rights and well-being.
She noted that Ghana’s historic role as the first country to ratify the Convention on the Rights of the Child underscored its commitment to child welfare.
“We’ve been working in Ghana for 43 years, and we believe this partnership with GNA can further amplify the voices of children and bring attention to critical issues that affect them,” she added.
Mrs Beatrice Asamani Savage, the Director of Editorial, GNA, welcoming the UNICEF team, highlighted the Agency’s historic role in shaping African narratives and promoting Pan-Africanism.
“The GNA was established to retell the African story, which had been distorted by the Western media, and to mobilise information from African states for the development of the continent,” she said.
She explained that although the news agency concept was less common, GNA’s core function remained unique, producing content for other media houses across the country.
Mrs Asamani Savage said, over the years, the Agency had faced resource constraints due to its reliance on government subvention, however, the Agency was making strides in adapting to modern trends.
“We are currently piloting our multimedia content, producing videos, and posting them on our social media platforms.”
Those challenges, notwithstanding, the GNA remained relevant, she noted, adding: “With the growing number of media outlets, there is an increased demand for credible content. And GNA is committed to providing that.”
She reaffirmed the Agency’s commitment to supporting UNICEF’s mission, especially in areas that directly impacted children and the youth across the country.
GNA
Edited by Agnes Boye-Doe