By Jones Anlimah
Professor Bright Zotor, a Professor of Nutrition at the University of Health and Allied Sciences (UHAS), has challenged the media to take an active role in promoting accountability and change in agriculture, nutrition, and health linkages, emphasizing their critical role in shaping national development outcomes.
Delivering a presentation as part of a training program for journalists from the Volta and Oti Regions under the UHAS-NKABOM Mastercard Project, Professor Zotor outlined four strategic ways the media can drive impact: amplifying community voices, advocating for increased domestic funding, monitoring the impact of interventions, and demanding transparency in public service delivery.
The UHAS-NKABOM Mastercard Project is a 10-year, $9.8 million initiative funded by the Mastercard Foundation. It aims to transform public health education and job outcomes in Ghana by mainstreaming entrepreneurship and practical skills into the curriculum of the Fred N. Binka School of Public Health (FNBSPH). The project seeks to achieve a 50-50 balance between theory and practice, with a strong emphasis on agribusiness across the value chain to create sustainable and dignified employment for Ghanaian youth.
“The media is not just a conveyor of information but an essential force in shaping policy, influencing behavior, and ensuring that the right questions are asked and answered,” Professor Zotor noted.
He stressed that amplifying the voices of communities, particularly the underserved, enhances participation and ensures that policies are grounded in real needs. He encouraged journalists to highlight funding gaps and push for increased investment in public health and nutrition programs.
Professor Zotor further emphasized the role of the media in tracking service delivery and assessing the effectiveness of ongoing interventions. By demanding open data and insisting on clear communication from institutions, journalists can expose inefficiencies and hold duty-bearers accountable.
“Change begins when there is informed demand and accountability. The media must position itself as a partner in development not just a watchdog, but a voice for equity,” he added.
The training formed part of the NKABOM Project’s efforts to strengthen multi-sectoral collaboration between agriculture, nutrition, and health through informed media engagement.
