The Council for Scientific and Industrial Research–Crop Research Institute (CSIR–CRI) is calling on media practitioners to take a leading role in promoting public awareness on environmental sustainability, agroecology, and climate action.
Speaking during the Agroecology and Circular Economy for Ecosystem Services Media Training Workshop in Accra, Dr. Kwaku Onwona-Hwesofour Asante, Research Scientist and Principal Investigator for the Agroecology and Circular Economy for Ecosystem Services Project in Africa and Sub-Saharan Africa, underscored the need for strategic and regular media programming on environmental issues.
The workshop, held under the theme “Strategic Media Programming for Agroecology, Circular Economy, and Climate Change Communication,” aimed to strengthen journalists’ capacity to simplify scientific concepts for public understanding and inspire action toward sustainable agricultural and environmental practices.
Dr. Asante noted that public awareness on environmental sustainability, particularly in agriculture, recycling, and ecosystem services, remains very low, partly due to the technical nature of scientific communication. He explained that by training journalists, the project seeks to bridge this knowledge gap and turn media professionals into effective “extension agents” capable of informing and influencing communities.
“Once media practitioners are well trained in these principles and concepts, they can extend the knowledge to the public so people can make informed decisions, especially in reducing agricultural emissions like methane, black carbon, and nitrous oxide that affect both climate and health,” he said.
He further highlighted that the workshop encourages continuous media coverage of environmental sustainability issues through regular programs and human-interest stories, not one-off features.
“If the public is well informed, they can take the needed action. Unfortunately, at the community level, there’s very little information about sustainability because of the scientific nature of the concepts. Today, we have brought these principles to the very doorstep of the media to simplify and communicate them effectively,” Dr. Asante added.
According to him, CSIR–CRI expects a strong synergy between science and media, leading to behavioral change and greater public engagement on climate-friendly practices.
“While we generate scientific knowledge, the media can take up these technologies, highlight them, and sensitize the public to take the needed actions for livelihood improvement, job creation, and emission reduction,” he emphasized.
The workshop forms part of CSIR’s broader efforts to promote agroecological innovations, strengthen circular economy practices, and empower the media as a crucial partner in Ghana’s climate communication strategy.
