A call has been made to Ghanaian journalists to uphold the Constitution and hold the government accountable in order to help combat corruption in the country. This urging was made by legal practitioner and JoyNews Newsfile host, Samson Lardy Anyenini, during a training workshop organised by the Media Foundation for West Africa (MFWA). The workshop, which is currently underway in Kumasi, aims to equip journalists with the necessary skills and knowledge to carry out their duties effectively.
The training workshop, which is being attended by journalists, editors, and media managers from various regions in Ghana, focuses on media legal knowledge, protection, and stronger journalism. It is funded by the European Union and IMS and implemented by DW Akademie in partnership with MFWA. The workshop seeks to promote responsible but bold journalism that avoids lawsuits, particularly Strategic Litigation Against Public Participation (SLAPP suits).
According to Samson Anyenini, the Constitution has given protections and mandated the media to carry out bold and fearless journalism, while also providing protections for the media to do the work for and on behalf of the people of Ghana. He stressed that journalists should approach their work with a sense of responsibility to uphold the Constitution and hold the government accountable to the people.
The MFWA has announced a GH¢544,000 legal support fund to defend journalists who face legal action for legitimate, public-interest reporting. This fund will provide legal representation to journalists who face lawsuits over their work, and will be financed from the fund. Samson Anyenini described the fund as timely, citing the rise in SLAPP suits, which he described as nuisance suits aimed at shutting the media from discussing certain matters.
The rise of SLAPP suits has been a major challenge for journalists in Ghana, with many media houses unable to afford the costs of defending themselves in court. The legal support fund is expected to provide relief to journalists who face such lawsuits, and will enable them to carry out their work without fear of reprisal. The fund will also help to promote a culture of bold and fearless journalism in Ghana.
The training workshop, which is being held from September 21 to 25, 2026, has attracted participants from various regions in Ghana, including the Ashanti, North East, Northern, Savannah, Upper East, Upper West, Bono East, Bono, and Western North regions. The participants are expected to benefit from the training and use the knowledge and skills gained to carry out their work effectively.
In conclusion, the call by Samson Anyenini for journalists to uphold the Constitution and hold the government accountable is a timely reminder of the critical role that the media plays in promoting democracy and good governance in Ghana. The legal support fund announced by the MFWA is also expected to provide relief to journalists who face lawsuits over their work, and will help to promote a culture of bold and fearless journalism in the country.
Key points
- The Media Foundation for West Africa has announced a GH¢544,000 legal support fund to defend journalists who face legal action for legitimate, public-interest reporting.
