The Media Foundation for West Africa (MFWA) has initiated a five-day residential training program in Kumasi, Ghana, aimed at enhancing the understanding of legal rights and judicial protection among journalists. The training, which runs from September 22 to 25, 2026, brings together senior reporters and editors from media organizations in the Ashanti and Northern regions.
This program is part of the African Media Integrity and Resilience Programme (AMIRP) – Ghana, implemented by the MFWA in collaboration with DW Akademie and funded by the European Union through International Media Support (IMS). The initiative seeks to equip journalists with the knowledge and confidence to carry out their professional responsibilities while better understanding how to defend their rights when faced with legal challenges or judicial intimidation.
A key component of the training is an introduction to the operational guidelines of a dedicated legal support fund established under the project. The fund is intended to provide financial assistance for legal representation to journalists who face litigation or judicial harassment arising from their professional work. This comes amid continuing concerns about the legal and professional risks journalists may face when reporting on issues of public interest.
The MFWA says greater awareness of legal rights and available support mechanisms is crucial in enabling journalists to respond appropriately when their work results in legal challenges. Participants are expected to gain a better understanding of the legal protections available to them, as well as practical knowledge on navigating legal processes that may arise from their professional activities.
The training is part of broader efforts under AMIRP-Ghana to strengthen media integrity and resilience while supporting journalists to perform their duties with greater confidence. By enhancing journalists' understanding of their legal rights and the support mechanisms available, the program aims to promote a more robust and resilient media environment in Ghana.
The program is particularly relevant given the concerns about legal and professional risks journalists face in Ghana. Journalists often encounter challenges when reporting on issues of public interest, and this training seeks to empower them with the knowledge and skills necessary to navigate these challenges effectively.
Overall, the MFWA's training program represents a significant effort to support journalists in Ghana's Ashanti and Northern regions. By providing them with a better understanding of their legal rights and available support mechanisms, the program aims to promote a safer and more enabling environment for journalism in Ghana.
Key points
- The training program is funded by the European Union through International Media Support (IMS).
- The program aims to equip journalists with the knowledge and confidence to carry out their professional responsibilities while defending their rights when faced with legal challenges.
- A dedicated legal support fund has been established to provide financial assistance for legal representation to journalists who face litigation or judicial harassment.
