Manasseh Azure Hails UEW Investigative Journalism Club as Ghana’s Most Dedicated
Renowned investigative journalist Manasseh Azure Awuni has described the University of Education, Winneba's (UEW) Investigative Journalism Club as the most dedicated and committed student investigative journalism chapter he has encountered in Ghana.
Speaking at an investigative journalism training workshop organised by the Department of Journalism and Media Studies (JMS) under the Pledge Against Corruption Campaign on Tuesday, 16th June 2026, Mr. Awuni said the club's exceptional commitment inspired the decision to provide its members with specialised training and mentorship opportunities.
"I have such clubs in other universities but this is the most dedicated and serious club and I think we should begin from here," he remarked.
The workshop, supported by the Africa Centre for Energy Policy (ACEP), was designed to equip aspiring journalists with practical investigative reporting skills and strengthen their capacity to promote accountability, transparency and integrity in governance.
Mr. Awuni noted that members of the club had consistently demonstrated commitment through regular meetings, active participation and sustained engagement with mentors, even during virtual sessions while he was abroad. He explained that the initiative seeks to guide students in developing compelling investigative story ideas, provide mentorship through to publication and cultivate the mindset required for accountability-driven journalism.
Addressing concerns that often discourage young journalists from pursuing investigative reporting, Mr. Awuni sought to demystify the practice by sharing personal experiences and emphasising that investigative journalism is accessible to anyone willing to pursue facts and evidence. He encouraged students to remain steadfast despite the challenges associated with the profession. He noted that investigative reporting continues to play a vital role in exposing wrongdoing and deterring corruption.
Prof. Gifty Appiah-Adjei, the Head of the Department of Journalism and Media Studies, said the training was intended to remove the fear often associated with investigative journalism and demonstrate that impactful investigations can be conducted through public records, government documents and information obtained under the Right to Information Act, rather than relying solely on undercover methods.
She further disclosed that promising students identified through the programme would receive mentorship from experienced practitioners including Mr. Awuni, as they transition into professional journalism. According to her, the vibrancy of the UEW Investigative Journalism Club reflects the Department's deliberate commitment to nurturing critical, analytical and in-depth journalism skills among students.
The workshop also featured a session on fact-checking and combating misinformation led by data and investigative journalist Mr. Evans Aziamor-Mensah. He urged participants to rely on credible sources, document evidence transparently, utilise verification tools such as reverse image searches and maintain objectivity in their reporting. He added that strong fact-checking skills not only help combat misinformation but also create rewarding career opportunities while strengthening public trust in the media.
Representing ACEP, Ms. Betty Owusu, Policy Analyst, encouraged participants to take full advantage of the training by engaging resource persons and applying the knowledge gained to their future careers.
The training forms part of ongoing efforts by the Department of Journalism and Media Studies to develop ethical, critical and accountability-driven journalists equipped to contribute meaningfully to national development and the fight against corruption.
