The International Republican Institute (IRI) on Monday 27th May, 2024 in Kumasi with the generous support of the American people through the United States Agency for International Development (USAID), Organized a comprehensive training workshop for investigative journalists in Ghana. This initiative is part of the Political Accountability Activity (POLA) project, which aims to strengthen political accountability mechanisms in the Ghana.
The workshop, organized in collaboration with the Ghana Journalists Association (GJA), gathered aspiring and experienced journalists from across the nation to enhance their skills in investigative journalism. The training focuses on best practices in data usage, digital security, interview preparation, sourcing, and attribution, aiming to build an inclusive, gender-equitable cohort of media professionals dedicated to exposing corruption and holding public officials accountable.
Jerry John Gyasi Mensah, Programs Associate at IRI Ghana, opened the session. He highlighted the significance of investigative journalism in promoting democratic governance and accountability.
“This workshop is crucial in addressing the growing ‘culture of silence’ among journalists”.
He added “we are committed to empowering journalists to expose government corruption and malfeasance, particularly at the regional and local levels.”
The POLA project, funded by USAID and implemented by IRI in partnership with the International Foundation for Electoral Systems (IFES) and the National Democratic Institute (NDI), is a four-year initiative designed to achieve three main objectives: Citizens demand improved political accountability, more inclusive political systems foster active and diverse citizen engagement and government advances electoral reforms.
The workshop featured insights from several distinguished speakers. Mr. Williams Nyarko, Executive Director of the Africa Center for International Law and Accountability (ACILA), emphasized the critical role of investigative journalism in holding power accountable.
“Investigative journalism is essential for exposing wrongdoing, especially among public office holders. However, investigations should focus on matters of public interest and be conducted with fairness.”
Rebecca Ekpe, representing the Ghana Journalists Association, expressed gratitude to IRI and the US government for their support. She underscored the importance of empowering young journalists and building their capacity to shape a responsible and impactful media landscape in Africa.
“Balanced reportage is crucial,” Ekpe said. “Young journalists should not only focus on politics but also address fundamental issues affecting marginalized communities.” She added
Ekpe also addressed the challenges faced by journalists, noting that attacks on media professionals are attacks on democracy itself. She praised the efforts of organizations like the Media Foundation for West Africa (MFWA) in advocating for justice and holding perpetrators accountable.
“Ghana’s media press freedom ranking has improved from 62 to 50, reflecting our progress in protecting journalists,” she added.
The training workshop concluded with a call to action for journalists to continue their vital work in demanding accountable governance. The participants expressed their commitment to applying the skills learned to enhance transparency and accountability in Ghana’s political landscape.
This initiative marks a significant step forward in the fight against corruption and the promotion of democratic values in Ghana. As the workshop progresses, it is expected to create a ripple effect, empowering journalists to contribute to a more transparent and accountable governance system.
The International Republican Institute (IRI) is a nonpartisan, nongovernmental international development organization that has been working globally since 1983. IRI collaborates with local organizations and individuals to help citizens build democratic societies that are open, accountable, and resilient.
By: Gogu Edwin/Padfmonline.com/0555588660
