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SYND, FoE equip journalists on how to report on banks and biodiversity
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Journalists with interest in climate related issues have been equipped to enhance their reportage on the banks and biodiversity no go policy.
For the strategic Youth Network for Development (SYND), the media cannot be sidelined in the efforts to create public awareness on some of the negative activities of the bank that was affecting the environment.
The Banks and Biodiversity No Go Policy is an active campaign plan of Strategic Youth Network for Development (SYND) in partnership with Friends of the Earth (FoE) US.
Speaking at a Media Engagement organised by the Biodiversity Team of SYND, the Focal Point lead, Ms. Gifty Eliklim Agbenyefia explained that, for the Biodiversity No Go policy to yield results, the ‘watchdogs’ of the society, (media) could not be left out of the process.
The policy she pointed out had eight targeted points that clearly stated areas banks were supposed to invest in.
She said some of the banks were unconsciously financing project that destroyed the environment and are yet to develop robust policies or practices to address the biodiversity impacts of their lending”.
Citing mining projects that had been financed by banks with the sole aim of looking at profits, Ms. Agbenyefia stated that, those initiatives had destroyed the environment and if care not taken would have dire consequence on the life of the citizenry.
“We can talk about the Densu river, we can talk about mangroves, we can talk about wetlands, which are currently becoming housing grants for building projects in our country”, she noted
It is in this regard, she explained the media needed to extend its ‘watchdog’ role in ensuring that, banks don’t finance or invest in projects that destroys the numerous ecosystems such as river bodies, forests among others.
“These are ecosystems that has been in existence for years, so why should we engage in activities that would us at risk”, she quest. ne.
However, she was quick to say that, sometimes the banks were not aware of how some of their funded projects were destroying the ecosystem but believed that, when the media publishes such stories, it will awaken the banks.
To her, continuous highlighting and hammering on such harmful projects funded by banks would streamline the No Go Policy’ in its agreements to safeguard the ecosystem.
“We want the media to be able to understand our position on the banks and biodiversity global policy. And then populate the idea in that regard”, she emphasized.
Meanwhile, she hinted at some progress made after some engagement with the banks.
Some of the media personnel present at the media engagement pledged to join the fight in ensuring that, bfundfunds environmental Sustainability projects in the country through their various media channels
BY BENEDICTA GYIMAAH FOLLEY
General Secretary of the New Patriotic Party (NPP), Justin Kodua Frimpong, has filed his nomination to contest the position of General Secretary again as the party begins its rebuilding efforts ahead of the 2028 general elections.
He was accompanied by party stalwarts and supporters who were in high spirits, expressing confidence that he is the right person to hold the position.
Speaking after filing his nomination, Mr Kodua Frimpong assured the rank and file of the party that he would not disappoint them.
“I can assure you that the faith the rank and file of the party have had in me, I will never disappoint them,” he said.
He also pledged to run a clean campaign devoid of personal attacks.
“I can assure you that our internal campaign will be devoid of personal attacks,” he told his fellow contestants and the rank and file of the party as he seeks to retain his position.
His tenure has seen the party through the 2024 general elections, where the NPP lost power to the National Democratic Congress (NDC) after eight years in government.
The party is currently in a rebuilding phase, with internal elections scheduled to elect new national executives to lead its reorganization towards the 2028 polls.
The General Secretary position is considered one of the most influential in the party’s administrative structure, responsible for the day-to-day running of the party secretariat and implementation of party decisions.
By Edem Mensah-Tsotorme
The University of Ghana Medical Centre (UGMC) has disputed claims made on social media by comedian Michael Blackson concerning the treatment given to his late mother, saying a review found that the allegations did not accurately reflect what happened during her stay at the hospital.
In a statement issued in Accra on August 5, 2026, the management of UGMC expressed condolences to Mr. Blackson and his family over the death of his 83-year-old mother, who died at the facility on July 16, 2026.
The hospital said it had taken the concerns raised by Mr. Blackson seriously and conducted a thorough review in line with its clinical and administrative procedures.
According to the statement, the facts presented by Mr. Blackson on social media contained “numerous inaccuracies” and did not accurately reflect the medical care provided to his mother.
UGMC explained that she was referred to the facility from another hospital and received treatment there from May 27 to July 16, 2026, a period of about eight weeks.
The hospital stated that it would not release details of her diagnosis, treatment, medical records or other aspects of her care because it had a duty to protect patient confidentiality, even after death.
It said the decision was intended to respect the dignity of the deceased and the privacy of her family.
UGMC further stated that all clinical decisions at the facility are made by qualified healthcare professionals based on medical judgment, established standards of care and the best interests of the patient.
The statement added that such decisions are made in consultation with authorised family representatives where necessary and that billing and financial procedures are governed by institutional policies and are separate from clinical decision-making.
The hospital noted that it values feedback from patients and their families and considers both positive and negative comments important for improving the quality of care.
Mr. Blackson had earlier used social media to criticise the care his mother received at UGMC, prompting the hospital’s response.
By: Jacob Aggrey
