The Network of Associations of Registered non-governmental organisations (NGOs) in Ghana (NARNGO), has called for closer collaboration and partnership between editors of the electronic and print media institutions and the Ghana Journalists Association (GJA).
Mr Kofi Lucas, founder of NARNGO, made the call in Accra, when he presented a concept paper “Strategically and holistically taking Government’s Coordinated programme to the grassroots through the media, in the era of COVID-19 pandemic, at a forum dubbed: “Time with editors”, in Accra last Wednesday.
The event was attended by executives of the GJA and more than 20 editors from the various media institutions, which formed part of series of engagements by NARNGO with the inky fraternity.
Mr Lucas admonished them to join hands with NARNGO so that “together we can woo religious and interest group leaders to win the fight over numerous problems and challenges facing Ghana as a complementary to support government’s efforts.”
According to him, NARNGO would mobilise interested religious and interest bodies to partner government to venture into agri-business and its value chain to ensure food security in its efforts to fight poverty, hunger, unemployment as well as rural-urban migration.
This, Mr Lucas noted would make it possible to provide at least one nutritious meal per day to struggling active and retired clergy and Church members, targeting at least 200 needy senior citizens and 100 single mothers and jobless youth.
He said NARNGO would also support less-privileged schools and health institutions with food produce among others to cover over 5,700 electoral areas nationwide.
Mr Lucas hinted that the concept, NARNGO developed would create at least one million jobs and over 40,000 cooperative business ventures.
Dr George Domfe, a Senior Research fellow at the Centre For Social Policy Studies of the University of Ghana, educated the editors on the national economy since the colonial era.
He commended the government for its social and economic policies, flagship programmes, and good leadership.
The President of the GJA, Roland Affail Monney, said he was grateful to NARNGO for involving the media in the NGO’s pivotal role in societal development.
He assured that the media would continue to collaborate with institutions such as NARNGO, whose vision and mission sought to among others help address poverty and bring a sigh of relief to the vulnerable and less privilege in society.
BY NORMAN COOPER