In a strategic move to combat misinformation and enhance public financial literacy, the Bank of Ghana (BoG) has launched a specialized training programme aimed at equipping journalists with deeper insights into economic reporting.
Speaking at the opening of a three-day capacity-building seminar in Koforidua on Friday, June 27, BoG’s Director of Communication, Bernard Otabil, stressed that improving the financial acumen of media professionals is essential in curbing the spread of disinformation and strengthening public trust in economic governance.
The seminar, which brought together 25 selected journalists, focuses on demystifying complex financial subjects including central bank operations, inflation dynamics, monetary policy, and the intricacies of the BoG’s balance sheet. It is part of a broader campaign to build a more informed media capable of interpreting and communicating economic policies accurately to the general public.
Otabil noted that in an era of increasing misinformation, particularly on social media, the responsibility on journalists to provide clear, factual, and balanced financial reporting has never been greater.
“Financial literacy is not just for economists. Journalists are frontline educators. If they don’t fully grasp the issues, the public will be misled—intentionally or unintentionally,” he said. “This initiative is a way of arming the media with the right tools to decode technical language and explain policies that impact every Ghanaian.”
The BoG views effective communication as critical to policy credibility, especially in times of economic uncertainty. By training media practitioners to act as credible intermediaries between the central bank and the public, the Bank hopes to foster greater transparency and understanding of its role.
The training programme also seeks to address the persistent challenge of economic jargon acting as a barrier to public understanding—ensuring that journalists can break down complex terms for ordinary citizens.
The initiative has been widely welcomed by participants and media stakeholders, who acknowledge the growing demand for specialized reporting in a rapidly evolving economic landscape.
