By Opesika Tetteh Puplampu
Accra, August 13, GNA – The Whistleblowers, Activists and Journalists Safety International Center (WAJSIC) conducted a four-day investigative journalism training session for its local journalists and whistleblowers.
The training, which is included in three support initiatives conducted at WAJSIC’s office in Accra, was funded by the Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ) through its Participation, Accountability and Integrity for a Resilient Democracy (PAIReD) project.
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It received support from the German Government, in cooperation with the European Union and the Swiss Confederation, and in partnership with Ghana’s Ministry of Finance.
WAJSIC, a non-governmental entity based in Ghana and operating across Africa, is recognized for offering refuge, monetary allowances, legal aid, healthcare, and mental health services to those who encounter persecution due to revealing corruption, advocating for human rights, or bringing attention to unfair practices.
Several of the training attendees are residing in exile or facing ongoing danger because of their investigative activities.
The workshop, themed “Safe Investigative Journalism for Journalists Under Threat,” demonstrated its two-fold aim of enhancing reporting abilities while safeguarding the well-being of attendees.
Mr. Manasseh Azure Awuni, a highly regarded investigative journalist from Ghana, guided the reporters in choosing and structuring stories, verifying evidence, managing legal risks, and adhering to ethical standards in undercover reporting.
He also emphasized security through modules covering digital, physical, and operational safety, aimed at enabling participants to work without putting themselves or their sources at undue risk.
Mr. Abdoulaye Diallo and Mr. Adjapong Benjamin, who serve as WAJSIC’s Executive Director and Chief Operations Officer, respectively, encouraged attendees to view themselves not only as journalists but also as champions of democratic responsibility.
“Investigative journalism goes beyond simply sharing a narrative; it involves safeguarding the public’s right to information, even if this commitment exposes you to danger,” Mr. Diallo stated.
Mr. Kweku Lartey Obeng, the Head of Component responsible for Enhancing Anti-Corruption Entities within the PAIReD initiative of GIZ, highlighted the significance of developing local capabilities in independent journalism.
He mentioned that “Robust democracies rely on courageous disclosure,” and noted that “With collaborations such as this, we guarantee that individuals who voice the truth to authority have the necessary resources and security.”
Mr. Anas Aremeyaw Anas, the founder and chairman of WAJSIC, shared personal insights from his long career in undercover reporting with the trainees, emphasizing that “courage is infectious.”
He reminded them that the quality of their work is just as important as the stories they create.
A Ghanaian journalist, currently under protection and hosted by WAJSIC, Mr. Anas stated: “It’s the first time in a long while that I’ve felt both secure and strong. I now possess resources I hadn’t realized I required.”
By integrating technical expertise with personal safety instruction, WAJSIC’s newest initiative highlights its dedication to protecting those who tell the stories and, consequently, ensuring the public’s right to information.
GNA
Edited by Laudia Sawer and Benjamin Mensah
Provided by SyndiGate Media Inc. (Syndigate.info).
