Journalists who participated in a three-phased training program on investigative journalism, the Right to Information (RTI) Law, and fact-checking have been urged to apply their newly acquired skills in the fight against corruption and misinformation.
Speaking at the closing ceremony, Component Manager at GIZ, Kweku Lartey Obeng, emphasized the indispensable role of journalists in society, noting that their responsibility to promote accountability and transparency is central to democratic governance and national development.
The training focused on strengthening investigative reporting, enhancing the effective use of the RTI Law, and improving fact-checking practices. Participants were reminded that the knowledge and skills gained remain relevant throughout their careers and should be continuously applied.
“You are the journalist. Your role is not optional. It is not secondary. It is crucial,” Mr. Obeng said. “The skills, the tools, and the knowledge you have acquired throughout these three trainings are yours to keep. There is no expiry date on what you have learned.”
He encouraged participants to carry these lessons throughout their careers and mentor the next generation. Mr. Obeng also highlighted the persistent challenge of corruption, which continues to drain resources from critical sectors such as education, healthcare, and youth development. “Someone must expose it. Someone must stand in the gap when institutions fail or fall short,” he said.
Beyond investigative skills, participants were trained on identifying funding opportunities, engaging media development organizations and press freedom bodies, and positioning their work to secure support. “We expect you to apply that knowledge and actively pursue these opportunities,” Mr. Obeng added.
The three-phased training was led by the Media Foundation for West Africa (MFWA) and funded by the German Development Cooperation (GIZ) under the Participation, Accountability, Integrity for a Resilient Democracy (PAIReD) program. The initiative is commissioned by the German Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ), co-financed by the European Union and the Swiss State Secretariat for Economic Affairs (SECO), and implemented in collaboration with Ghana’s Ministry of Finance.
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