Ghana journalists, editors challenged to prioritise EITI issues and hold leaders accountable

Dr. Steve Manteaw, Co-Chair of the Ghana Extractive Industries Transparency Initiative (GHEITI) and Multi-Stakeholder Group (MSG) has further challenged journalists and news editors to prioritise issues and matters relating to promoting transparency and accountability in Ghana’s multi-billion oil and mining sectors.

According to him, ever since Ghana commenced oil exploration in the year 2010, the media has done some very good scrutiny in ensuring accountability, prudent revenue monitoring, and helping to harness the full benefits of the extractive sector in the best interest of host oil and gas as well as mining communities and the country at large.

The Extractive Industries Transparency Initiative (EITI) sets a global standard for transparency in oil, gas, and mining which Ghana is a member country.

He, however, called for more efforts on the part of the Ghana media to prioritise and further intensify discussions and national discourse on EITI matters.

“The EITI aims to promote transparency and accountability in the extractive sector. The media plays a crucial role in EITI by acting as a watchdog, reporting on issues related to natural resource extraction, revenue management, and governance. We need more efforts from the media to help raise awareness, expose corruption, and hold governments and companies accountable for their actions,” he said.

Dr. Steve Manteaw was addressing a two-day Technical Workshop for journalists and editors at the Hill Palace Hotel in Aburi, in the Eastern region, which was focused on discussing the 2020 GHEITI Reports For The Mining And Oil/Gas Sectors.

The main object of the technical workshop was to build the capacities of members of IFEJ and the editors on the key issues in the reports in particular, and the extractive sector in general with a view to promoting accurate reportage.

The reports are in conformity with the 2019 EITI Standard that go beyond the mere reconciliation of payments and receipts, to include contextual information such as the summary description of the legal framework and fiscal regime, the sector’s contribution to the economy, production and export data, state participation in the extractive industries, revenue allocations, sustainability of revenues, license registers and license allocation, and several other requirements of the Standard.

The media workshop brought together members of the Institute of Financial and Economic Journalists (IFEJ) and a cross-section of editors from print and electronic media as well as online journalists to discuss the said reports.

It was organized by the Ministry of Finance/Ghana EITI in collaboration with the German Development Cooperation (GIZ).

This workshop comes on the back of the successful launch of the 2020 Ghana EITI reports for the mining and oil/gas sector held at the Airport West Hotel, Accra in June 2023.

Dr. Steve Manteaw added “We also urge the media to encourage public participation and contribute to informed discussions about the management of natural resources and their economic impacts. EITI offers several benefits for host mining and oil extractive communities. It promotes transparency and accountability in the management of natural resources, leading to increased public trust and reduced corruption.”

He continued that the EITI can also enhance revenue management, ensuring that communities receive their fair share of profits and what they duly deserve.

“By involving stakeholders in decision-making processes, EITI fosters better communication and cooperation between governments, companies, and communities, ultimately leading to more sustainable development and improved social and environmental standards. It aims to ensure that the revenue generated from these resources benefits the citizens of resource-rich countries. EITI encourages governments, companies, and civil society to collaborate in disclosing and verifying information about extractive industry revenues and payments. This transparency can help prevent corruption, promote good governance, and foster sustainable development.”