The Government has reiterated its resolve to work actively with civil society organisations and international agencies to pursue clearly defined and holistic policy direction to derive the positive aspects of migration and minimise the consequences

It, therefore, urged the media to continue educating the public on the various consequences and risks associated with irregular migration as well as the economic opportunities available at home in order to tone down the menace.

Mr Kojo Oppong Nkrumah, the Minister of Information, made the remarks in a keynote address delivered at an Awards Ceremony and Unveiling of a Training Manual, Mobile Application and Database of Migration Stories, organised by the Media Response, an NGO, in Accra.

He observed that irregular migration had assumed an alarming proportion and urged the developing nations in particular, whose citizens often undertook such risky treks to create economic opportunities for their people in order to stem the tide.

The Minister said migration was not entirely bad but irregular migration was what the world condemned and, thus, urged all stakeholders to work together to tackle the challenge.

He commended all partner organisations for their diverse support and, lauded the ECOWAS Commission, European Union and International Organisation for Migration for their financial support towards the successful implementation of the project.

Mr Oppong Nkrumah appealed to the donor agencies to consider a second phase of the project to cover the other regions to deepen understanding on migration and assured the Ministry’s resolve to pursue media capacity enhancement programme to equip journalists with relevant skills to push the standard of ethical journalism higher.

Mr Albert Kofi Owusu, the General Manager of the Ghana News Agency, in his welcome address, emphasised the Agency’s unique role towards nation building, social integration and socio-economic development and expressed delight for being associated with the project.

He was of the conviction that the project would deepen the understanding and knowledge of journalists and enable them to interrogate issues on migration, which would aid policy-makers and non-state actors to initiate policy gaps to address the menace.

Mr Kofi Owusu pledged the Agency’s unflinching support towards laudable initiatives to help propel the country’s development forward.

The Ghana News Agency (GNA), Information Service Department (ISD), Independent Broadcasters Association (GIBA) and Ghana Journalists Association (GJA) were the key partners for the “Free Movement of Persons and Migration in West Africa” Project launched in May 2017.

The project has, so far, trained more than 90 journalists in investigative journalism on free movement and migration in the Greater Accra, Ashanti, Western and Northern regions.

Also, a network of journalists known as the Migration Media Network has been established with over 160 registered members in the four regions.

Additionally, 80 journalists were trained on social media /mobile applications and designing a media campaign on free movement of people.

The media awards formed part of the project to promote and increase understanding of journalists and key stakeholders on migration issues and ensuring accurate and efficient reportage on migration.

There were 20 entries for the media awards competition out of which 10 journalists were selected and awarded for their thought-provoking stories on migration and child trafficking.

Each award recipient received a certificate and 4-G smartphone, with the Overall Winner, Ms Akua Oforiwaa-Darko, of Ghana Television, receiving a certificate, 4G smartphone and a plaque.

Mr Julius K. Satsi, a reporter with the Ghana News Agency was among the award winners.

Other award recipients included Peter Quao Adattor, of TV3, Zadok Kwame Gyasi, of Daily Graphic, Francis Bucknor-Baffoe, of GBC, Jamila Akweley Okertchiri, of Daily Guide, Priscilla Sedinam Djentusi, of Ghana News Network and Fianku Nicolas, of Group Nduom Television.