The former Board Chairman of Ghana Grid Company (GRIDCo), Mr. Kabral Blay-Amihere, has emphasized the importance of accuracy and a deep understanding of the energy sector for journalists to curb misinformation.
At a recent capacity-building training program for journalists in Accra, Mr. Blay-Amihere highlighted the need for rigorous research, fact-checking, and engagement with relevant stakeholders to ensure balanced and accurate reporting. The event, themed “Navigating the Complexities of Social Media: Best Practices for Accurate Energy Reporting,” was organized by Energy News Africa Ltd., a news portal focused on developments in the energy sector.
“As journalists, you don’t need to be engineers to report on the energy sector, just as you don’t need to be lawyers to cover court proceedings. But you must research, understand the economics, and engage the right sources before publishing a story,” he stated.
Mr. Blay-Amihere raised concerns about the growing influence of social media on public perception of the energy sector, often driven by misinformation and political propaganda. “Today, anyone with a smartphone can spread news—true or false—without verification. We see headlines like ‘Dumsor is back’ or ‘Power sabotage in Ashanti Region’ without an in-depth understanding of the actual situation,” he remarked.
He also underscored the complexity of the energy sector, which involves multiple stakeholders, including power generators, transmission companies like GRIDCo, and distributors such as the Electricity Company of Ghana (ECG). “Blaming ECG for power outages without considering supply chain challenges, including fuel shortages and gas supply disruptions, reflects a lack of understanding,” he added.
Mr. Michael Creg Afful, Editor of Energy News Africa Ltd., explained that the training aimed to equip journalists with the skills to distinguish between accurate and misleading information. He stressed the importance of improving the quality of energy journalism in Ghana to ensure the public receives well-researched and reliable information. He also warned against the rapid dissemination of unverified reports, citing a case involving a purported appointment at the Tema Oil Refinery that later proved false.
“The energy sector is a key decision-making area, and if we, as journalists, fail to equip ourselves with the right knowledge, we risk misinforming the public. For instance, tomorrow, the West African Gas Pipeline Company will begin shutting down its facilities in Tema and the Western Region. If there are outages, some might rush to social media to claim that ‘Dumsor’ has returned, without understanding the real cause,” he explained.
Mr. Afful encouraged journalists to specialize in specific fields rather than being general reporters. Sharing his personal experience, he noted that his focus on energy reporting had opened doors for him, including multiple international opportunities.
Dr. Riverson Oppong, Chief Executive Officer of the Chamber of Oil Marketing Companies (COMAC), reaffirmed COMAC’s commitment to supporting journalists in enhancing reporting standards in the energy sector. He stressed the need for journalists to uphold ethical reporting standards, avoid conflicts of interest, and conduct thorough fact-checking using available tools, including artificial intelligence and fact-checking websites.
Dr. Oppong also cautioned that repeated incidents of misinformation could erode journalists’ credibility and deter stakeholders from engaging with them. “Maintaining credibility is paramount. Journalists must ensure their reports are accurate, verified, and free from bias,” he concluded.
By Eric Bekoe (KOB)
