The Deputy Chief Executive Officer of the Forestry Commission, Elikem Kotoko, has called on Ghanaian journalists to move beyond headline reporting and take an active role in reshaping public understanding and action on climate change.
Speaking at the TN Africa Digital Journalism Summit 2025, held at the British Council Auditorium in Accra, Mr. Kotoko posed a bold question that set the tone for the evening:
“Who tells Ghana’s green story, the government or the people? If we leave the story of our forests, rivers, and air to policy briefings alone, we lose the human connection that drives real change.”
The summit, themed “Shaping Africa’s Future Through Climate Journalism,” brought together journalists, digital creators, policymakers, and environmental advocates to discuss how storytelling can drive Africa’s sustainability agenda.
Mr. Kotoko emphasized that climate journalism should evolve from “reporting to repairing,” stressing that journalists are not just observers but key agents in environmental recovery.
The media cannot stay neutral when the planet is in crisis,” he said. “Your stories must not only inform but inspire, not only describe the damage, but drive the repair.”
He warned that Ghana’s forests, which once covered over 8 million hectares, have been reduced by nearly half due to illegal mining, logging, and urban encroachment. “We are losing approximately 135,000 hectares of forest every year,” he revealed. “If this continues, our grandchildren may never see the Ghana we inherited.”
Mr. Kotoko urged journalists to spotlight human stories behind environmental data, from farmers battling unpredictable rains to children in flood-prone communities. He noted that such stories could make the public “see climate change not as a distant threat, but a daily reality.”
Climate change has faces, women who can’t farm as they used to, children who can’t go to school when floods hit, and families displaced by galamsey pollution,” he said. “Those are the stories that move hearts and drive policy.”
He further encouraged collaboration between the media, government agencies, and local communities, saying, “We cannot protect the environment in silos. A united front of journalists, activists, and public servants is our best hope.”
A Summit of Voices for Change
The TN Africa Digital Journalism Summit 2025, convened by Senanu Damilola Wemakor, brought together a cross-section of media leaders, influencers, and young journalists passionate about sustainable storytelling.
The event was graced by Her Excellency Juliette Bynoe-Sutherland, who served as Special Guest of Honour, with Joshua Kodjo Mensah as MC.
Natalie Fort and Emefa Apawu delivered keynote addresses. Fort spoke on “The Role of the World Sustainability Organization in Climate Change Awareness,” while Apawu described climate change as “a storytelling crisis that demands empathy, inclusion, and hope.”
Two engaging panel discussions followed: Panel 1: “Climate Change & Human Impact”, moderated by Miriam Mensah, featured Michael Tsatsu Axorlu, Marjorie Fiedler, and Natalie Fort. Panel 2: “Digital Journalism & Storytelling”, moderated by Ameyaw Debrah, brought together Kwadwo Sheldon, Abena Soreno, and Etornam Kumashie to discuss how digital creators can use influence to drive social impact.
Interactive sessions, live quizzes, and audience discussions created a lively learning atmosphere, reinforcing TN Africa’s vision to equip Africa’s next generation of journalists with digital skills for purpose-driven storytelling.
A Movement Beyond the Room
In his closing remarks, Convener Senanu Damilola Wemakor described the summit as “a defining moment for African digital journalism.”
This is not just a summit, it’s a movement,” Wemakor said. “Climate journalism is our duty to the earth and posterity. The question is not whether we can make a difference, but whether we will.”
The event concluded with the launch of TN Africa’s #StoryTheChange campaign, an initiative aimed at promoting responsible digital storytelling and fostering collaboration among media houses, influencers, and youth movements across the continent.
About TN Africa
TN Africa is a Pan-African digital media and communication platform committed to credible journalism, creative storytelling, and social progress. Through its StoryTheChange initiative, TN Africa empowers young journalists and content creators to use storytelling as a tool for civic engagement, climate advocacy, and continental transformation.