The Media Foundation for West Africa (MFWA) has officially announced the call for applications for the 9th Edition of the Next Generation Investigative Journalism (NGIJ) Fellowship, a prestigious and fully funded three‑month residential program designed to nurture Ghana’s next wave of accountability and anti‑corruption journalists. The fellowship, scheduled to run from September to November 2026, aims to strengthen investigative reporting, promote transparency, and enhance press freedom across Ghana.

Overview of the Fellowship

The NGIJ Fellowship is a flagship initiative under MFWA’s broader project titled “Countering corruption through accountability journalism and improved freedom of expression environment in Ghana.” This project forms part of the Participation, Accountability, Integrity for a Resilient Democracy (PAIReD) programme, commissioned by the German Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ), co‑financed by the European Union (EU) and the Swiss State Secretariat for Economic Affairs (SECO), and implemented by GIZ in cooperation with Ghana’s Ministry of Finance.

The overarching goal is to empower young journalists and media professionals with the skills, tools, and mentorship needed to produce impactful investigative stories that expose corruption, address socio‑economic inequalities, and strengthen democratic governance.

What Participants Will Gain

The fellowship offers a comprehensive blend of training, mentorship, and practical newsroom experience. Selected fellows will benefit from:

1. Intensive Training Modules
   • Anti‑corruption and accountability reporting
   • Use of Ghana’s Right to Information (RTI) Law
   • Data journalism techniques
   • Fact‑checking methodologies
   • Additional investigative reporting tools and frameworks
2. Hands‑On Mentorship Fellows will work directly with MFWA’s Independent Journalism Projects:
   • Fact‑Check Ghana
   • The Fourth Estate These platforms are known for producing high‑impact investigative stories and fact‑checking reports that shape national discourse.
3. Story Production Support
   • Financial assistance to pursue investigative or in‑depth stories
   • Editorial guidance from seasoned investigative journalists
   • Opportunity to produce at least one major story and contribute to a collaborative group investigation
4. Certification and Stipend
   • A Certificate of Honour upon successful completion
   • Monthly stipend throughout the three‑month residential program

Eligibility Requirements

Applicants must meet the following criteria:

1. Must be a journalism graduate, early‑career journalist, or young professional with a strong passion for journalism.
2. Must commit fully to the residential program from September to November 2026.
3. Female applicants and journalists residing outside the Greater Accra Region are strongly encouraged to apply.

Application Process

1. Motivation Letter (Maximum 400 words) explaining your interest in the fellowship.
2. Two Published Articles
   • For journalists: print, TV, radio, or online articles
   • For non‑journalist professionals: a published blog post
3. Letter of Consent from employer (for staff journalists).
4. Curriculum Vitae (CV) with two referees.

Only shortlisted applicants will be contacted.