The Ministry of Energy and Petroleum has launched the Ministry of Energy and Petroleum Press Corps consisting of selected journalists from various media houses across the country, to build their capacities in order to ensure accuracy and clarity on oil and gas as well as power reportage.
At the launch of the Press Corps and the opening of a three-day training programme for members, Deputy Minister John Jinapor said the initiative is part of government’s efforts to ensure transparency and accountability in the oil sector, adding that the initiative includes the passage of the Petroleum Revenue Management Act, the Petroleum Commission Act, the extension of the EITI to the oil sector amongst others.
“Government and the Ministry of Energy and Petroleum in particular have always aimed at providing opportunities for Ghanaians to be informed about the Ministry's decisions, policies, but more importantly to promote transparency, participation and accountability in the energy sector,” he added.
Mr. Jinapor further assured the Press Corps of the Ministry’s commitment to work in partnership with them in accordance with the 1992 Constitution which guarantees freedom of the press.
The deputy minister was however quick to caution members of the Corps of their responsibilities as media practitioners, noting that media personnel must operate in an ethical and responsible manner.
He said media organizations, journalists and individuals must be accountable for their output, saying it is vital that the boundaries that they operate within are clear, unambiguous and within the remit of the Constitution.
