Accra: The Ghana Anti-Corruption Coalition (GACC), in collaboration with an Africa Centre for Energy Policy (ACEP)-led coalition and funded by the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO), has conducted a one-day media training workshop to enhance journalists' abilities in governance and anti-corruption reporting. The event aimed to improve the capacity of journalists, editors, civil society representatives, and governance practitioners to foster collaboration and elevate the standard of accountability reporting nationwide.
According to Ghana Web, the workshop, which took place on February 18, 2026, primarily targeted journalists who had participated in the 2024 media training program. It sought to deepen their understanding of governance reforms, enhance analytical skills, and build networks to support investigative and data-driven reporting. Organizers emphasized the importance of transparent governance, noting that anti-corruption reforms must be clearly communicated and subjected to public scrutiny.
The training encouraged constructive dialogue between the media and state institutions to ensure clarity and public debate on reform initiatives. Beauty Emefa Narteh, Executive Secretary of GACC, urged participants to translate their training into impactful, responsible, and results-oriented reporting. She highlighted the importance of demonstrating value for the investment made in their development, noting that many participants come from non-traditional media houses with less access to capacity-building programs.
Kodzo Yaotse, Policy Lead for Petroleum and Conventional Energy at ACEP, explained that the training is part of broader efforts to create a governance ecosystem where informed journalism complements institutional reforms. He noted the necessity of specialized knowledge in corruption reporting, especially in technical sectors like extractives. Hooman Nouruzi, Head of Political and Governance at FCDO, described corruption as both a moral and developmental challenge. He emphasized the role of a strong, independent, and ethical media in combating corruption and shaping public policy dialogue.
Dr. John Osae-Kwapong, Project Director of The Democracy Project, highlighted concerning governance trends, noting little improvement in Ghana's performance on the Transparency International Corruption Perceptions Index. He also referenced the Afrobarometer findings, which indicate growing public perception of corruption and concerns about weak accountability mechanisms. Dr. Osae-Kwapong stressed the need for institutional reforms, sustained civic education, and moral reorientation to tackle corruption effectively.
Mary Awelana Addah, Executive Director of the Ghana Integrity Initiative, underscored the importance of citizen participation and collective action in anti-corruption efforts. She encouraged journalists to document their experiences and collaborate with civil society organizations, stressing that silence and fear weaken reform processes. The training is part of the Anti-Corruption Institute for Enhancing Governance and Accountability in Ghana, aimed at promoting good governance and strengthening public accountability.