The USAID Feed the Future Ghana Market Systems and Resilience (MSR) Activity has successfully trained Climate Change Champions from selected communities in the Upper West region on radio advocacy, enabling them to lead local efforts against climate change.
Participants were drawn from youth groups in various communities, including Naro, Fian, Goripie, Manwe, Nadowli, Funsi, and Busa, among others. They were expected to share the knowledge gained during the training with their groups to bolster their advocacy efforts concerning climate change and other MSR Activity initiatives.
During the opening of the one-day training, Mr. Cecil Osei, the Deputy Chief of Party for the MSR Activity, emphasized the importance of radio as an effective medium for communication and behavior change. He noted that while the MSR Activity addresses issues of concern to youth, the youth also play a critical role in raising awareness about and driving changes in negative practices affecting them, particularly in agriculture and climate change.
Mr. Osei explained that radio is a powerful tool for advocacy, allowing direct communication with communities in familiar languages. He highlighted that it encourages interaction between advocates and community members, promoting effective participation and understanding of the topics discussed.
He stated that behavior change is the foundation of development, affirming that without a shift in attitudes toward certain social issues, genuine progress cannot occur. Mr. Osei commended the young advocates for their commitment to volunteering with the MSR Activity in their communities.
Mr. Gabriel Mwini, the Managing Director of Info Radio in Wa, facilitated the training by guiding participants through the fundamentals of radio programming and advocacy aimed at achieving tangible results. He emphasized that behavior change does not happen overnight; it requires ongoing advocacy and education.
Mr. Mwini encouraged the young advocates to practice fact-based advocacy by researching issues before presenting them and using relevant examples that align with the community's needs. "You can highlight climate-smart activities from other communities and their benefits, or explain how bush burning affects a specific community, making these issues relatable," he advised.
Mr. Fidelis Naapaneh, the Upper West Regional Manager of the MSR Activity, urged participants to speak with confidence to effectively persuade others to embrace their ideas.
The training focused on the effective use of radio to promote behavior change, covering various programme formats such as talk shows, call-ins, drama series, documentaries for social awareness, and music programmes geared towards behavior change. Participants also engaged in a case study on successful radio behavior change campaigns and participated in role-playing scenarios addressing climate change issues.
Several participants expressed gratitude to the MSR Activity for the training, noting that it would significantly enhance their advocacy efforts. Mr. Ismail Dagador, a participant from Fian, remarked that the knowledge gained would empower him to advocate more effectively using radio.
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