GIZ Urges Investigative Journalists to Lead the Charge Against Corruption
Mr. Kweku Obeng, a representative of the German Development Cooperation (GIZ), has challenged investigative journalists in Ghana to utilize their acquired skills to expose corruption and demand accountability from duty bearers.
Addressing 30 journalists at the final session of a three-part training series in Accra, Mr. Obeng emphasized that the role of the media in national development is “not optional” but “crucial” in protecting public resources.
The training, held at the Central Hotel in Ridge, marked the conclusion of the PAIReD programme, an initiative commissioned by the German Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ) and co-financed by the European Union (EU) and the Swiss State Secretariat for Economic Affairs (SECO).
The programme was implemented by GIZ in partnership with Ghana’s Ministry of Finance and the Media Foundation for West Africa (MFWA).
The comprehensive training journey covered critical pillars of modern journalism, including investigative techniques, data journalism, and fact-checking. The objective was to equip participants with practical tools to navigate complex financial data and debunk misinformation.”
Corruption continues to drain the resources meant for our schools, our hospitals, and our young people,” Mr. Obeng stated. “Someone must stand in the gap when institutions fall short and when the powerful feels untouchable. In Ghana, that someone is often the journalist.”
To ensure the long-term impact of the program, Mr. Obeng announced the establishment of a “Community of Practice” for investigative journalists. This platform consists of experienced professionals who will offer mentorship, peer support, and guidance to the trainees as they pursue high-impact stories.
He urged the participants to leverage the network they had built across the northern, middle, and southern belts of Ghana, noting that the professional relationships formed are among the most valuable assets of the program.
The GIZ representative further encouraged the journalists to actively seek funding opportunities and collaborate with media development organizations and press freedom bodies to sustain their investigative work.”
We expect you to apply that knowledge and actively pursue those opportunities. The pipeline for accountability journalism in Ghana is growing, and you are part of it,” he concluded.
The Media Foundation for West Africa was also commended for its commitment to the process and its partnership in strengthening integrity in governance across the sub-region.
Bashiru Nuhu Bapagu