DW Akademie in Ghana

Whether Ghanaians use their smartphones for paying at the market or surf the Internet on 4G – as elsewhere, advanced digitization in Ghana is providing citizens with new opportunities. It is also rapidly changing media consumption. According to a recent DW Akademie study, young people now turn more to online media than the radio for information, even in rural areas. Social media have also become an important source of information.

This poses major challenges for the media sector and requires new digital skills for journalists, especially in terms of researching and fact-checking. Media consumers also need new skills for critically evaluating media content.

While news and rumors are increasing on the Internet, as are cyberbullying and hate speech, there is little awareness in Ghana about the dangers they can pose. Media literacy, however, is still uncommon.

Ghana ranks 30th on Reporters Without Borders' 2020 Press Freedom Index (2018: 23rd; 2019: 27th). Journalists receive more threats than in previous years, and more and more are subject to violent attacks. Citizens and the media have limited access to public records even though this right is enshrined in the constitution and a Right to Information Bill has been put into effect in January 2020 to regulate legal rights more closely. Public institutions handle their new duties far from being satisfactory. A governmental program for improving access to information has not yet been fully implemented.  

Our activities

DW Akademie projects in Ghana aim to strengthen a public dialogue that rests on fact-based, balanced reporting – not just in the country's capital Accra, but in the Ashanti Region and Northern Region, as well. With support of DW Akademie, the National Film and Television Institute (NAFTI) is establishing high-quality training courses for media outlets and journalists. For the first time, these trainings are also offered in the regional capitals Kumasi and Tamale.

Media and consumers also need to be able to identify and demand quality journalism. For this, DW Akademie is supporting Penplusbytes (PPB), a non-governmental organization, in building a Center of Excellence for media and information literacy (MIL). Young people acquire a critical approach to sensationalism and fake news that are spread on social media. PPB is increasingly focusing on digital MIL campaigns.

To produce facts-based reports, journalists need to access information from public authorities. The Media Foundation for West Africa (MFWA) is working with DW Akademie in the three above-mentioned regions to strengthen the exchange of information between district authorities, media and civil society.

Funding sources: German Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ)

Program Director: Susanne Fuchs-Mwakideu

Locations: Accra (Greater Accra), Kumasi (Ashanti Region), Tamale (Nothern Regions)

Local partners: Penplusbytes (PPB), Media Foundation for West Africa (MFWA), National Film and Television Institute (NAFTI), JoyFM, CitiFM, Ghana Community Radio Network (GCRN), Youth Bridge Foundation, Curious Minds, University of Ghana, UNESCO Field Office in Ghana, Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ) in Ghana

Focal points: Social participation, qualification, freedom of information/access to information from public authorities, professionalism and journalists' networks