By Rachel Kakraba
The Environmental Protection Authority (EPA) says its regulatory framework has been broadened to include climate change considerations, in addition to the traditional environmental impact assessments required before granting permits for development projects. The move, it says, promotes responsible development while safeguarding ecosystems and supporting Ghana’s commitment to climate resilience and environmental sustainability.
Dr Emmanuel Tachie-Obeng, Acting Deputy Director of the Climate Change and Ozone Division of the EPA, made this known during a capacity-building workshop for selected media practitioners of the Ghana Broadcasting Corporation (GBC), aimed at enhancing accurate and impactful climate reporting across television, radio, online and digital platforms.
Capacity-building workshop
The training, held at the headquarters of GBC in Accra, brought together journalists, editors and producers from various divisions within the corporation. It aimed to equip participants with the knowledge and tools needed to effectively report on climate change issues, environmental policies and sustainability initiatives across GBC’s platforms.
EPA’s expanded mandate
Dr Tachie-Obeng explained that previously, the EPA’s primary focus was on assessing environmental impacts and ensuring that developers outlined mitigation measures to address issues such as pollution, land degradation and biodiversity loss. However, with the growing threat of climate change, the Authority’s focus has been expanded.
“After the promulgation of our Climate Change Act, Act 1124, the Environmental Protection Authority’s mandate has expanded from environmental protection to also include climate change considerations. We have realised that if our mandate has expanded and climate change has become very important, then we need to build the capacity of our collaborators, especially media professionals, to improve their understanding,” he said.
He added that under the expanded mandate, developers must now demonstrate not only how their projects will minimise environmental harm but also how they intend to mitigate their contribution to climate change.
“If you are undertaking any project, you must assess both the environmental impact and the climate change impact, and provide mitigation actions for both,” he explained.
Simplifying climate change reporting
Dr Tachie-Obeng said the training was designed to strengthen the capacity of GBC staff to improve their understanding and reportage of climate change issues across all platforms.
He urged journalists to simplify scientific information and present it in clear, relatable ways.
“Whatever has happened, whether drought or flooding, present it clearly to the audience in a storytelling manner that does not create fear,” he said.
He added that reports should also offer solutions and reassurance to empower communities.
“Recommend solutions as far as climate incidents are concerned. Otherwise, anytime climate change is mentioned, people may think it will only bring destruction. But it can also create opportunities, including carbon incentives,” he noted.
Opportunities in renewable energy
Dr Tachie-Obeng encouraged the public to take advantage of renewable energy opportunities, particularly solar power, to generate electricity and potentially supply excess energy to the national grid.
Climate action support programme
The Chief Executive of the EPA, Prof Nana Ama Browne Klutse, described the media as a vital force in shaping public understanding of environmental issues and bridging the gap between scientific knowledge and everyday awareness.
“Scientists can conduct research and policymakers can write reports, but if the story does not reach the ordinary citizen in a way they understand, then the work is only half done. You complete that work,” she said.
She explained that the training forms part of the Authority’s Climate Action Implementation Support Programme and marks the beginning of a long-term partnership with GBC.
“We are committed to working hand in hand with the media as an ongoing process. We want to support you in producing content that is accurate, engaging and useful, because we cannot win the fight against climate change without an informed public,” she added.
Prof Browne Klutse also noted that while Ghana has made commitments through its nationally determined contributions, achieving them requires not only political will but also public understanding and support driven by effective media coverage.
Countering climate misinformation
Deputy Director of Human Resources at GBC, Alhaji Tahiru Abdul Razak Mohamed, expressed appreciation to the EPA for the training, describing it as essential for combating misinformation and improving climate communication.
“The programme will empower us to translate complex scientific data into accessible narratives, counter misinformation, and highlight both local and global climate solutions,” he said.
He added that the training would help improve the quality and frequency of climate change coverage across GBC’s television, radio, online and digital platforms for the benefit of the public.
