The United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) has urged journalists in Ghana to verify facts, protect survivors of gender-based violence, including sexual violence, domestic violence, child marriage and other harmful practices and remain independent in their reporting.
The Country Representative of the UNFPA-Ghana, Dr. Wilfred Ochan, made the call during the UNFPA Media Forum at the Ministry of Finance Conference Room in Kanda, Accra, on Wednesday, November 4, 2026.
Dr. Wilfred Ochan, said accuracy, dignity and independence must guide journalists when they tell the stories of women, girls and young people.
Dr. Ochan said journalists must verify facts before publication and must not expose survivors of violence and vulnerable young people in their reporting.
He stressed that independence is the most important principle for the media, even when reporting on development partners like UNFPA.
Dr. Ochan said: “And as you tell the stories of women, girls and young people, let accuracy, dignity and independence guide your work. Go beyond the headlines, verify the facts, protect the privacy and dignity of those involved, particularly survivors of violence and vulnerable young people, and above all, remain independent. Help the public understand the issues in their proper context.”
He was delivering the keynote address on the theme: “Beyond the Headlines: Partnership, Trust and Ghana’s Development Story.”
Dr. Ochan said journalists have a unique role in Ghana’s development. “As journalists, you connect policy to people. You ask whether partnerships are producing results. You help bring overlooked issues and voices into the national conversations. You help the public understand what development means beyond institutions and statistics.”
He said UNFPA does not expect journalists to promote the organisation. He stated: “We do not expect you to become the publicity arm of UNFPA. That is not your responsibility.”
Instead, he urged journalists to ask tough questions and to speak freely. He said: “We want you to ask questions: Are the partnerships producing results? Are we reaching those who need support? Are we listening to the communities we work with? What could we do better?”
He added: “Tell us what you think we should be doing differently. Tell us what you are hearing from the people you serve and help us understand where we can communicate better.”
Dr. Ochan said UNFPA wants a relationship with the media based on access, evidence, trust and honest engagement. He said: “Let us deepen a relationship with you that is based on access, evidence, trust and honest engagement. That is the foundation of a good relationship with the media.”
He said that engagement should not happen only when there is a programme to launch. He said: “Not one where we only engage when there is a programme to launch or an announcement to make. But where we continually or regularly engage openly in having honest conversations about what is useful to the people we serve, the challenges, the progress and the work that remains.”
Dr. Ochan said partnership is built on listening, local ownership and respect for Ghana’s social and cultural context. He said: “No institution can bring about lasting change on its own. Certainly not UNFPA.”
He further reminded journalists that the real test of development work is its impact on people. He said: “We welcome your voice, because ultimately, what matters is not how well we tell the story of our work, but the difference that work makes in people’s lives.”
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