Koforidua: Mr Abubakari Adamu, a Specialist in Safeguarding and Child Protection at Plan International Ghana, has called on journalists to ensure the safety, dignity, and wellbeing of children and vulnerable people in all forms of reporting. He emphasized that safeguarding is a moral and legal duty that should guide every stage of media engagement.
According to Ghana News Agency, Mr Adamu’s remarks were made during the 2026 Media Training on Sensitive Gender Reporting, organized by Plan International Ghana at the Eastern Premier Hotel in Koforidua. He detailed that safeguarding encompasses preventing, responding to, and referring concerns of harm, violence, sexual harassment, exploitation, and abuse affecting children and program participants. As a child rights organization aligned with the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child, Plan International Ghana is committed to doing no harm.
Mr Adamu reminded journalists that the value of a story should never outweigh the wellbeing of a child. He cautioned against sensationalism, stereotyping, and revealing identities, especially in cases involving survivors of violence and children in conflict situations. Journalists collaborating with organizations like Plan International Ghana must prioritize the child’s best interest, ensure informed consent, and maintain confidentiality. For children under 18 years, parental or guardian consent is required, along with the child’s assent, with the right to withdraw at any time.
He also highlighted ongoing risks to children in Ghana, such as child marriage, teenage pregnancy, sexual and gender-based violence, child labor, trafficking, and cyber violence. With over 10 million internet users in Ghana, children face increasing exposure to online abuse and digital exploitation. Despite existing laws like the Children’s Act, the Domestic Violence Act, and the Human Trafficking Act, Mr Adamu noted that implementation gaps hinder child protection efforts.
Addressing sexual exploitation and abuse, Mr Adamu urged journalists to understand that perpetrators often hold positions of trust and can come from any background. The organization’s Global Safeguarding Policy forbids sexual activity with persons under 18, the exchange of money or goods for sexual favors, and the accessing or sharing of abusive images of children. He highlighted that a mistaken belief about age is not a valid defense.
Mr Adamu stressed the importance of reporting safeguarding concerns within 24 hours through appropriate channels, noting that it is not the journalist’s role to investigate allegations but to report them promptly and confidentially. Participants were advised on how to respond to child disclosures of abuse: listen calmly, avoid probing for details, guarantee confidentiality, reassure the child, and report immediately.
On ethical interviewing and visual storytelling, Mr Adamu advised journalists to use age-appropriate language, conduct interviews in safe settings, and protect identities where necessary, while avoiding harmful imagery or pressure for graphic details. He urged journalists to examine their own biases and cultural assumptions when reporting on gender and child-related issues.
He emphasized that safeguarding requires knowledgeable and committed professionals dedicated to creating safe environments. “At Plan International, safeguarding is not just what we do, but who we are,” Mr Adamu stated. He encouraged journalists to support responsible reporting that advances children’s rights without exposing vulnerable individuals to further harm.