As Ghana continues to battle the environmental and economic consequences of illegal mining, popularly known as galamsey, the African Extractives Media Fellowship (AEMF) is stepping up efforts to strengthen journalism that promotes responsible and sustainable mining practices.
The country continues to face challenges including the pollution of rivers and other water bodies, destruction of forest reserves, deforestation, illegal mining activities and mineral smuggling. These issues have highlighted the need for informed, accurate and solutions-focused reporting on the extractive sector.
To support this objective, NewsWire Africa, in collaboration with the Australian High Commission in Ghana, the Ghana Chamber of Mines and several partner organisations, has launched the second cohort of the African Extractives Media Fellowship. The programme is designed to equip journalists with the knowledge and practical skills needed to produce impactful stories that promote transparency, accountability and sustainable resource governance across Africa.
The fellowship’s maiden cohort, comprising about 30 journalists who began the programme in 2025, graduated on Monday, July 7, 2026. On the same day, about 50 journalists from across Ghana were inducted into the second cohort for a six-month intensive training programme.
Among the newly inducted fellows is Classic FM Techiman News Editor, Yaaso Zechariah, who joins journalists from various media organisations selected to deepen their understanding of Ghana’s extractive industry and improve public interest reporting on mining, oil and gas.
The inauguration and graduation ceremony, held at the La Palm Royal Beach Hotel in Accra, brought together journalists, diplomats, government officials and stakeholders in the extractive sector.
Speaking at the event, the Programme Lead of the African Extractives Media Fellowship, Kwakye Afreh-Nuamah, encouraged participants to take advantage of the opportunities the fellowship offers to enhance their professional development and contribute to improved reporting on the extractive sector.
Australian High Commissioner to Ghana, Her Excellency Bernice Owen-Jones, reaffirmed Australia’s commitment to supporting responsible mining and sustainable resource governance. She noted that Australia has earned global recognition for responsible mining practices and expressed confidence that the fellowship would help promote high standards of extractive sector journalism in Ghana and across the continent.
The fellowship is supported by several institutions, including the Ghana Chamber of Mines, the National Petroleum Authority, the Public Interest and Accountability Committee, the Petroleum Hub Development Corporation, the University of Ghana Business School, the University of Mines and Technology, the West Africa Network for Peacebuilding, CDD-Ghana, Digital Earth Africa and the Tema Oil Refinery.
The African Extractives Media Fellowship is expected to strengthen media capacity and contribute to responsible reporting that supports environmental protection, transparency and sustainable management of Ghana’s natural resources.
Source: Yaaso Zechariah classic
