on Extractive Sector Reporting  

By: Benjamin Q Johnson

The Reporters Association of Liberia (RAL), in collaboration with Africa Development Management Associates (ADMA), successfully concluded a day-long regional symposium aimed at bolstering the skills and knowledge of journalists reporting on the extractive sector. With over fifty journalists in attendance, the symposium focused on equipping reporters with the necessary tools to effectively communicate the complexities of the industry.

Held under the theme “Promoting Responsible Journalism for Socio-economic Development,” the symposium brought together reporters from Montserrado, Bong, Nimba, Margibi, and Grand Bassa Counties.

Speaking at the ceremony in Ganta, Nimba County over the weekend, RAL President, Willie N. Tokpah highlighted the symposium’s focus on ArcelorMittal Liberia operations, featuring presentations from the company’s top management. Tokpah emphasized that empowering journalists to report accurately on the sector fosters transparency and public understanding, contributing to informed public discourse and constructive dialogue between industry stakeholders and the community.

“Firstly, it will empower journalists to report accurately and comprehensively on the sector, thereby fostering transparency and public understanding. Secondly, it will contribute to creating a more informed public discourse, facilitating a constructive dialogue between industry stakeholders and the community.

“The impact of AML’s operations extends far beyond its economic contributions, positively influencing social development and community well-being in Liberia, especially in Bong, Nimba, and Grand Bassa. Thus, we believe it is important to increase public awareness of the company’s operations,” Tokpah noted.

Tokpah stressed the importance of increasing public awareness of ArcelorMittal Liberia’s operations, noting their significant impact on social development and community well-being in Liberia, particularly in Bong, Nimba, and Grand Bassa.

The symposium also saw the launch of an appeal to ArcelorMittal Liberia’s management to support RAL by creating an office space to ensuring the smooth operation of its activities.

Additionally, the head of RAL underscored the immense benefits of the seminars, urging attendees to take the lessons seriously,  and called on ArcelorMittal Liberia’s management to foster a closer relationship with RAL members, facilitating access to facilities for investigative reporting.

Meanwhile, Nimba County electoral district #2 Lawmaker, Rep. Nyah Flomo, highlighted the extractive sector’s crucial role in income generation across Liberia. He urged Liberian journalists to collaborate with the sector to ensure proactive and effective functions that benefit the country and its people.

Also in remarks,  McDonald S. Kerl Sr., Technical Officer at Liberia Extractive Industries Transparency Initiatives (LEITI), emphasized LEITI’s role in ensuring transparency and accountability in managing Liberia’s extractive resources. He presented on understanding Liberia’s extractive sector, its gains, challenges, and opportunities.

Participants hailed RAL’s leadership and its partner ADMA for organizing the impactful symposium, pledging to apply the knowledge gained in their respective areas of work.

The one-day media symposium united media stakeholders, organizations, local authorities, and political leaders, marking a significant step towards enhancing journalistic capacity in extractive industry reporting.