In a significant move aimed at empowering the Ghanaian media to play a more impactful role in the global climate change dialogue, the Jospong Group of Companies, through its subsidiary Zoomlion Ghana Limited, has fully sponsored 25 distinguished Ghanaian journalists to attend the 29th edition of the Conference of the Parties (COP29) currently taking place in Baku, Azerbaijan.
This sponsorship highlights the company’s unwavering commitment to promoting climate change advocacy and enhancing media engagement on the issue in Ghana.
The journalists, selected from a broad spectrum of media houses across Ghana, have been afforded the invaluable opportunity to attend the 10-day conference, which is being held under the auspices of the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC).
The theme for this year’s conference, “Accelerating Action, Unlocking Opportunities,” focuses on fostering international collaboration, innovation, and financial mechanisms to address climate change, while advancing sustainable development and green energy solutions globally.
At COP29, the Ghanaian journalists will have the chance to engage with climate experts, policymakers, and activists, gaining deeper insights into key topics such as climate change mitigation and adaptation strategies, the role of financial institutions in climate action, renewable energy solutions, and the importance of community-based efforts to combat climate change.
The event also offers an excellent platform for the media professionals to understand the latest global trends and best practices in climate action.
Jospong Group’s sponsorship of the journalists is part of its broader strategy to promote environmental sustainability and advocate for the green revolution in Ghana.
This is the second consecutive year the company has supported Ghanaian journalists’ participation in a COP event. The initiative follows the successful sponsorship of journalists to COP28 in Dubai last year, further cementing the group’s leadership in climate change advocacy within the country.
Sophia Kudjordji, Chief Communications Officer of the Jospong Group, stressed the critical role the media plays in shaping public awareness and understanding of climate change.
She emphasized, “It is crucial for media professionals to remain updated on climate trends and have the knowledge and tools necessary to deliver accurate and well-rounded reports. By doing so, they can influence public perceptions, encourage behavioral changes, and hold stakeholders accountable.”
She further explained, “As Ghana’s leading climate change advocate, Jospong Group is deeply committed to supporting climate action aligned with the Paris Agreement and the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Achieving these ambitious global goals is not possible without the partnership of the media, who act as the primary conduits for information dissemination.”
Kudjordji also highlighted the long-standing collaboration between the Jospong Group and the Ghanaian media, which dates back to 2006.
The company has consistently supported the media in its efforts to report on development and environmental issues, recognizing the media’s influence in shaping national discourse and policy.
One of the journalists benefiting from the sponsorship, Ebenezer Appiah Kubih, host of Kesben Morning Show, expressed his appreciation for Jospong Group’s continued support of media practice in Ghana. He noted that such initiatives provide journalists with the necessary tools to engage in informed discussions on the climate crisis and equip them to educate communities on climate resilience.
Appiah Kubih also raised concerns over the lack of similar initiatives from government ministries, despite their regular participation in international climate change forums. He suggested that ministries such as Communication and Digitalisation, Environment, Science, Technology and Innovation, and Sanitation and Water Resources should make more efforts to include media representatives in their discussions and delegations to these global climate events.
The Jospong Group’s ongoing efforts to empower Ghanaian journalists align with its vision of a sustainable future, where media professionals are not only well-informed on climate issues but are also capable of driving the national conversation on climate action and environmental protection.
By equipping journalists with the tools and knowledge they need, Jospong Group hopes to raise the level of public understanding of climate change in Ghana, ultimately helping the country take significant strides toward climate resilience and sustainability.
With media outlets better informed and equipped to report on climate change, it is expected that the Ghanaian public will become more active participants in the global fight against climate change, embracing green practices and supporting policies that promote environmental sustainability.
By actively contributing to global climate conversations, Ghana will strengthen its commitment to the Paris Agreement and better align with international climate goals, benefitting not only the nation but also the broader African continent in the fight against climate challenges.
Through initiatives such as these, Jospong Group continues to reaffirm its dedication to environmental sustainability, ensuring that Ghana and the African continent remain at the forefront of efforts to mitigate the effects of climate change and build a more sustainable future for all.
