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The Media Foundation for West Africa (MFWA) has established a Legal Support Fund with an initial capital of GH¢544,000 to aid Ghanaian journalists facing legal challenges while performing their duties in the public interest. Dr Kojo Impraim, Programme Director of MFWA, announced this during the launch of a five-day residential training on the legal framework governing media practice in Ghana.

The training encompassed journalists and media professionals from various parts of the country. The Legal Support Fund is part of the African Media Integrity and Resilience Programme (AMIRP), funded by the European Union and implemented in Ghana by MFWA in collaboration with DW Akademie Ghana through International Media Support (IMS).

The objective of the AMIRP is to enhance the capacity of public-interest media practitioners, thereby promoting ethical and fact-based information that contributes to information integrity across West Africa. The Legal Support Fund aims to bolster freedom of expression, press freedom, and the safety of journalists in the region.

Dr Daniel Kwame Ampofo Adjei, Programme Manager of MFWA, explained that applicants must prove that the publication or journalistic activity in question is directly linked to legitimate journalistic standards and serves the public interest. Moreover, they must present evidence of the legal threat, state the type of assistance needed, and indicate if the matter is urgent.

Upon application, a committee will review the submission to ascertain its eligibility for assistance before approval.

Rebecca Ekpe, Vice-President of the Ghana Journalists Association (GJA), stated that the Fund is a much-needed development, enabling journalists to operate in the public interest without fear or intimidation. Ama Kodjo, Programme Director of DW Akademie Ghana, emphasized the commitment of her organization to supporting journalists in a safe environment.

Abdulai Awudu, President of the Independent Broadcasting Association, underscored the pressure legal suits impose on media practitioners and warned that continuous litigation could lead to the reduction of news programmes to mere entertainment. He urged members to avoid legal suits whenever feasible and advocated for the creation and enforcement of editorial policies to guide newsroom activities and prevent avoidable legal issues.

George Wilson Turkson, Executive Secretary of the Private Newspapers and Online Publishers, expressed hope that the Fund would be straightforward, transparent, and accessible to all eligible beneficiaries.