In a significant step toward strengthening the link between economic governance and public communication, the Bank of Ghana (BoG) has completed a four-day media capacity-building workshop for journalists in the Eastern Region, aimed at deepening their grasp of monetary policy and financial reporting standards.
Held from June 25 to 28, the workshop brought together 28 journalists in a strategic effort by the Central Bank to empower the media with the technical expertise needed to report accurately on complex macroeconomic issues, particularly amid the prevalence of misinformation in the public discourse.
Director of Communications at the BoG, Mr. Bernard Ato Otabil, emphasised during the opening session that the training was more than a technical engagement—it was a deliberate step to build lasting relationships with regional media professionals.
“This programme is part of a broader institutional commitment to cultivating a financially literate public through informed journalism,” Mr. Otabil said. “The media is a bridge between the Bank’s policies and the people, and that bridge must be strong and reliable.”
Beyond basic reporting skills, the workshop offered in-depth modules on Ghana’s inflation dynamics, monetary policy tools, the structure of the central bank’s balance sheet, foreign exchange market operations, and the broader implications of fiscal and monetary decisions.
Participants also learned about the BoG’s evolving communication strategy under Governor Dr. Johnson Pandit Asiama. One notable development is the pre-Monetary Policy Committee (MPC) briefing, where the Governor personally briefs the media on expected macroeconomic trends. Another major reform is the recent publication of individual MPC member submissions—marking a historic first since Ghana’s adoption of the inflation-targeting regime in 2007.
“These reforms enhance transparency and bring us closer to global best practices,” Mr. Otabil noted.
A critical conversation during the workshop focused on the controversial yet prominent role of the informal foreign exchange dealers, popularly referred to as “Abotsi.” Mr. Otabil clarified misconceptions, asserting that Abotsi operators represent only a small fraction—approximately 4 to 5 percent—of the country’s total foreign exchange transactions.
“They are not state-funded, and they don’t operate on government money,” he clarified. “We need a balanced narrative that recognises their role without sensationalism.”
In response to viral social media content suggesting illicit state links to informal forex operations, Mr. Otabil urged journalists to be more discerning and to correct misinformation that could mislead the public and hurt confidence in the financial system.
“The FX narrative must be informed by data and context. Sensational stories only hurt national confidence,” he warned.
The initiative is part of a larger national agenda by the BoG to build a knowledgeable media ecosystem, with similar workshops previously held in the Volta, Ashanti, and Western Regions. The collective reach of these trainings now touches nearly 100 journalists nationwide.
To enhance information flow, the Bank has formalised regional press corps structures and created dedicated digital communication channels, such as WhatsApp groups, for timely and verified updates to reporters in all regions.
Eastern Regional GJA Chairman, Mr. Maxwell Kudekor, lauded the BoG’s investment in media development, describing the initiative as “a blueprint for institutional engagement with the media that other public agencies should emulate.”
He underscored the importance of continuous professional development for journalists, especially in specialised fields like financial reporting, adding that such collaborations reinforce media credibility and democratic accountability.
With economic reporting increasingly influencing policy debates and public perception, the Bank of Ghana’s proactive approach signals a shift toward a more engaged, transparent, and media-inclusive central banking culture.
