THE MEDIA AND COMMUNICATION ADVOCACY NETWORK (MCAN) PROFILE

Background

MCAN is national network of media and communication experts formed and inaugurated in October 2002 in Ghana by UNFPA, the United Nations Population Fund. Under the leadership of UNFPA, the network members are a diverse group of professionals, such as reporters, correspondents, columnists, feature writers, scriptwriters, commentators, freelance writers, producers, broadcasters, photo journalists, and officials from the Ministry of Information who advocate for changes in policy, laws or programmes for advancing population and development issues in Ghana.

Functions and Objectives

MCAN is aimed at linking media professionals to do a well-researched work to enable members to report accurately on population and development, reproductive and sexual health and rights, and gender equality. The network will influence policy makers, parents, service providers, opinion leaders, young people, and traditional and religious authorities through media advocacy and news reportage. Moreover, they are to monitor and evaluate policies and programme interventions on population and development Issues. MCAN also aims at playing promotional roles by pushing stories to be published and aired at their various media houses without cost.

UNFPA Ghana believes that a true and effective partnership with the media requires a long-term relationship. Hence, strategies for sustaining the relationships have been several with focus on:

• Mentoring community news stringers who are not professional journalists and linking them to professionals in the various media houses for publication of their stories and subsequent follow-ups.



Young people at a radio station in Accra

• Mentoring young people to take up the mantle in reporting and communicating in their own style and language using the media as a channel of information dissemination – like the Children and Youth in Broadcasting (Curious Minds)
• Regular monitoring of programme interventions at the beneficiary levels by MCAN members for feedback and re-planning
• “Media Community Entry programmes” - a process where MCAN members visit particular media houses and share their knowledge with management and staff to galvanise support

Activities

• Feature writings
• Documentaries
• Commentaries
• Talk shows (Interviews, Discussions, etc)
• News reports
• Editorials
• Radio program mentions
• Seminars and workshops to upgrade knowledge of members
• Quarterly review and work planning meetings
• Field monitoring visits
• Online communications through the use of social media

To enhance their performance of MCAN members, UNFPA provides opportunities for their capacities to be upgraded on regular basis. The network also meets on quarterly basis to review their work.

Projections and Way Forward

• Spread of the network in UNFPA focus districts
• Strengthen the network
• Liaise with other media networks at regional and global levels to improve skills and knowledge

In conclusion, media and communication in programme interventions is very crucial, and media attention is important in reaching the general public, generating public debate and obtaining support for ideas and actions. Hence, strategies on dealing with them must be constantly reviewed and updated for UNFPA’s visibility in Ghana.