West African Journalists Launch New Website for Climate
and Science Reporting West African journalists have a new tool to help them report on issues affecting their communities, economies and governments.
The West African Journalists for Environment, Science, Health and Agriculture (WAJESHA) has launched a website (www.wajesha.org) aimed at supporting specialised journalism across the region. The platform will allow members to share stories, access resources, connect with experts and collaborate on reporting projects.
Speaking on the launch, WAJESHA Director Engr Mahmud Mohammed-Nurudeen said the platform comes at a time when West Africa is facing numerous challenges linked to climate change, food insecurity, environmental damage and public health threats.
"Many of the challenges facing West Africa are connected. Journalists need to explain not only what is happening, but also the causes, effects and possible solutions," he said.
The organisation says the website will promote cooperation between journalists in different West African countries and showcase investigations, features, and reports produced by members. WAJESHA's Editor-in-Chief, Aminu Adamu Ahmed, said the platform will help improve reporting on subjects that often require technical knowledge.
"Reporting on environment, science, health, and agriculture requires accuracy and context. Journalists need access to the right information and networks to tell these stories well," he said.
WAJESHA focuses on issues including climate change, biodiversity, pollution, environmental health, food systems, agriculture, and scientific innovation. The organisation is inviting journalists, editors, researchers, and science communicators to join the network through its website.
Membership registration is available at www.wajesha.org. With nearly 200 members, including journalists, editors, communicators, scientists, and researchers from different countries in the region, WAJESHA says the launch of the website is an important step in connecting journalists and improving reporting on issues that shape the future of West Africa.
The website is expected to provide a platform for journalists to share their stories and collaborate on projects, ultimately leading to better reporting and more informed communities across the region.
WAJESHA is a non-profit journalism project of the Centre for Climate Change & Food Security (CCCFS) created to improve reporting on issues affecting communities, economies, and government policies across West Africa. The organisation says its goal is to build a network where journalists can access information, speak to experts, and produce stories that help people understand issues affecting their lives.
With the launch of the website, WAJESHA aims to support evidence-based reporting that reflects the experiences of communities across the region. This move is expected to contribute to discussions about solutions to the pressing challenges facing West Africa.