Isaac Donkor Distinguished, a journalist with ModernGhana news portal, is one of 20 emerging journalists who graduated from the Media Foundation for West Africa’s (MFWA) Next Generation Investigative Journalism Fellowship.

The graduation, held in Accra on Tuesday, December 17, marked the completion of two cohorts of the programme.

Isaac, part of the fourth cohort, joined nine others to focus on fact-based and critical reporting during Ghana’s electioneering processes.

The fifth cohort, made up of 10 young journalists, concentrated on environmental reporting, particularly issues related to sustainability, governance, and rights violations in the extractive sector.

Launched in 2021, the NGIJ Fellowship aims to train, mentor, and empower young journalists with investigative reporting skills to drive good governance and societal impact.

At the closing ceremony in Accra on Tuesday, December 17, fellows were awarded certificates of honour and given the opportunity to network with key stakeholders in the media ecosystem.



Speaking at the event, award-winning investigative journalist Francisca Enchill commended the MFWA for prioritizing gender diversity in the program.



“A few years ago, pursuing a career in investigative journalism was challenging due to limited resources and support systems. The Next Generation Investigative Journalism program provides fellows with a unique opportunity to connect with industry players,” she stated.

Executive Director of MFWA, Sulemana Braimah, highlighted the importance of investigative journalism in promoting democracy.

“Democracy is not just about electing a party into governance. It is about transparency, accountability, and good governance. For democracy to thrive, we need a vibrant, independent, and strong media ecosystem,” he noted.

Each fellow produced at least one in-depth, solution-oriented story during the program.

On his part, Isaac Donkor investigated the challenges surrounding Ghana’s Domestic Violence Support Fund established by the Domestic Violence Act which was passed in 2007.

His work reveals systemic lapses and a lack of priority and political will in such a life-threatening issue that leaves survivors without critical support.

Reflecting on his experience, Isaac shared, “From a very humble background where people lack the needed help due to systemic failures, my passion for journalism has always been about offering solutions, seeking accountability, and putting duty bearers on their toes.”

He expressed gratitude to the MFWA for the opportunity, adding, “I intend to utilize the knowledge I gained from the fellowship to fight for a well-functioning society.”

The NGIJ Fellowship continues to build a new wave of investigative journalists dedicated to exposing wrongdoing, demanding accountability, and contributing to societal change.