Journalists have been urged to make their reports on the 2010 Population and Housing Census (PHC) accurate, positive and relevant to the general populace as a vital tool to national development.
Representatives of the United Nations Fund for Population Activities (UNFPA) and the Ghana Statistical Service (GSS) said this at a capacity building workshop for reporters and stringers of the Ghana News Agency.
The workshop is to enhance reportage on issues relating to population and development, reproductive health and gender equality at district and community levels.
The three-day workshop in Ho is under the auspices of the Media and Communications Advocacy Network (MCAN) with collaboration between the UNFPA and the GNA.
Participants would form the corps of MCAN in 40 UNFPA operational districts in the country.
Mr Francis Yankey of the Ghana Statistical Service (GSS) and a member of the 2010 Implementation Committee said the census would provide relevant information to aid developmental activities in the country.
These include policy formulation, general planning, research, national and international framework for projects, establish a credible and reliable sampling frame and knowledge of population trends.
Mr Yankey said the exercise would cost the country 50 million dollars, 50 percent of which would be borne by the government with the donor community assisting with the remaining 50 percent.
Ms Doris Agblobitse, Programme Officer of the UNFPA, said the understanding of and reflection of population and development issues in news reports were vital to promoting debate and galvanizing efforts at all levels of society to addressing the developmental challenges facing the country.
She said the UNFPA therefore formed the MCAN in October 2002 as a national network of media and communication experts with the aim of linking media professionals to regular, accurate and well researched information on population and development, reproductive health, gender equity and equality and empowerment of women.