GIZ Urges Journalists to Lead Anti-Corruption Fight at MFWA Data Journalism
Training
The Component manager of the Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale
Zusammenarbeit (GIZ), Mr. Kwaku Lartey Obeng, has called on Ghanaian journalists
to take a leading role in exposing corruption and strengthening accountability in
governance.
He made the remarks at the third and final three-day training on data journalism and
fact-checking organised by the Media Foundation for West Africa (MFWA).
Addressing participants, Mr. Obeng emphasised that the work of journalists is crucial
in safeguarding public resources meant for schools, hospitals and young people.
“Corruption continues to drain the resources meant for our schools, our hospitals and
our young people. Someone must expose it. Someone must stand in the gap when
institutions fail or fall short,” he said. “In Ghana, that someone is often the journalist.
Your role is not optional. It is not secondary. It is crucial.”
The training forms part of activities under the ‘PAIReD’ Programme, commissioned
by the German Federal Ministry of Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ),
co-funded by the European Union and the Government of Ghana, and implemented
by Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ) in partnership
with Ghana’s Ministry of Finance.
According to Mr. Obeng, the programme seeks to strengthen accountability and
integrity in governance by supporting investigative and data-driven journalism.
He noted that the “pipeline for accountability journalism in Ghana is growing,” adding
that the participating journalists are now better equipped to identify funding
opportunities, engage media development organisations and press freedom bodies,
and position their work for institutional support.
As part of the initiative, a Community of Practice has also been established to
connect investigative journalists with experienced mentors who can provide
guidance and professional support.
Mr. Obeng encouraged participants to actively engage the network and apply the
skills acquired during the training.
Before concluding his address, he commended the MFWA for its commitment to
strengthening journalism in Ghana and reaffirmed GIZ’s pride in the partnership.
In a symbolic gesture, Mr. Obeng delivered a poem dedicated to journalists, urging
them to stand firm in truth and conscience.
“A nation’s hope is placed in you. Stand tall. Speak strong. Let conscience lead. For
every lie you help unmask is freedom won — your sacred task,” he said.
The three-day training focused on strengthening journalists’ capacity in data
journalism and fact-checking to enhance evidence-based reporting and combat
misinformation.
Story By: Ewurama Attoh |www.diamondfmonline.com |Ghana.
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