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Empowering Media and Voices for Public Good

The Media Foundation for West Africa (MFWA)

We are a regional independent non-governmental organisation with a network of national partner organisations in all 16 countries in West Africa. We exist to empower, promote and defend media and civic voices for good governance and democratic development in West Africa.

Beyond our 16 partners in the region, we collaborate with UN agencies through our ECOSOC consultative status and with ECOWAS through our formal partnership agreement. At the AU level, we have Observer Status with the African Commission on Human and People’s Rights (ACHPR). We also belong to other global and continental networks such as IFEX, AFIC, AFEX, GFMD, and IATI.

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Our Priorities

Freedom of Expression

Securing the enabling environment for independent journalism and activism.

Tech & Digital Rights

Promoting and defending rights online, especially women’s rights online; and promoting safe and rights-respecting digital and tech policies across the region

Media for Democracy & Good Governance

Strengthening the media to facilitate participation, responsiveness, transparency and accountability in governance.

Media for Peace & Social Cohesion

Engaging with the media to address extremism, polarisation, mis/disinformation and promote conflict prevention.

Our Impact

Every Dollar Invested, Millions Returned: How Investigative Journalism is Delivering Measurable Public Value in Ghana

By Sulemana Braimah, Executive Director, Media Foundation for West Africa Summary: Since we launched The Fourth Estate as

A Story of Change: Expanding the frontiers of media and information rights in Guinea-Bissau

MFWA Fellowships: Incubator for producing award winning journalists in West Africa

Investigation by our accountability journalism project triggers presidential review of multimillion-dollar contract

Beneficiary of our DPI story production grants wins human rights award

Alumnus of our DPI Journalism Fellowship wins top award with digital payments story

Our investigative journalism project’s exposé named among GIJN’s 2025 most impactful stories

Protecting the Public Purse: How our accountability journalism project is saving millions for the Ghanaian taxpayer

Our climate change fellowship alumni wins global agriculture reporting award

More Impact Stories

Issues in Focus

Media urged to strengthen corruption reporting to rebuild public trust in accountability efforts

Journalists in Ghana have been urged to adopt a more issues-oriented framing in reporting on corruption, to prevent

Ghana: MFWA decries wanton and discriminatory use of ‘false news’ laws

Xenophobic Attacks in South Africa: MFWA Board Member Petitions African Commission, Seeks Urgent Intervention by African Court

WPFD 2026: Our Founder, Prof Karikari, calls for passage of Ghana’s stalled Broadcast Bill

WPFD 2026: MFWA calls for stronger media protections for a peaceful West Africa

MFWA calls for binding AU framework on information integrity, freedom of expression

Ghana: MFWA defends payroll fraud report by The Fourth Estate  

PRESS STATEMENT: Regional legal group condemns assault on member by Sierra Leone Police

MFWA requests for full copy of NLA-KGL Committee Report from Presidency

Stakeholders call for collaboration between media, anti-corruption agencies, activists in fight against corruption

7th cohort graduates from our Next Generation Investigative Journalism (NGIJ) Fellowship

MFWA to host forum on media and the fight against corruption in Ghana

MFWA launches regional Network of Investigative and Public Interest Journalists (NIPIJ)

More Issues in Focus

Country Highlights

Ghana: Political party activist granted bail over alleged false publication

An activist of the ruling National Democratic Congress (NDC) in Ghana, Prince Aboagye, has been granted bail by

Ghana: Another TikToker granted bail over remarks about president and first lady

Ghana: TikTok content creator re-arrested over alleged offensive conduct

Niger: Two journalists released after eight months in detention

The Gambia: Court acquits anti-corruption activists over unlawful assembly charges

Nigeria: Journalist re-arrested, charged with publisher over investigative reports

Ghana: TikToker jailed for a year over false claims against President

Ghana: Social media influencer arrested for making false claims against President

Mali: Court rejects journalist’s request for provisional release

Mauritania: Opposition MPs granted presidential clemency after arrest for criticising President

Nigeria: Apprehended journalist found after six days; police summon publisher over same investigation

Nigeria: Journalist apprehended in Abuja after publication of investigative report

Mali: HAC suspends radio call-in show “Allô Klédu” for two months

More Country Highlights

Latest From Our Partners

GPU Urges Political Parties to Protect Journalists Ahead of Presidential Elections

The Gambia Press Union (GPU) has urged leaders of political parties to make greater efforts to promote and

GPU escalates advocacy for media law reforms at ACHPR’s 87th Ordinary Session

Gambia Press Union urges government to deliver long-delayed media law reforms

Sierra Leone: SLAJ renews call for explicit constitutional protections on World Press Freedom Day 2026

Gambian media, CSOs reject government’s proposal to register journalists, social media users

Our Senegal country partner protests media regulator’s inquisitorial powers under new law

Gambia Press Union (GPU) raises concerns over arrest, detention of editor

SLAJ engages Attorney General on proposed constitutional chapter for press freedom

IPC, CSOs coalition in Nigeria urge National Assembly to safeguard integrity of 2027 elections

MFWA partner in Guinea elects new leadership

UJIT empowers female journalists on security, gender equity in Togo

MRCG leads calls for speedy enactment of Sierra Leone data protection law

MRCG champions women’s digital and media rights in Sierra Leone

More From Our Partners

Opportunities

All
Awards
Consultancies
Fellowships
Grants
Trainings
Vacancies

Call for Applications: 9th Edition of the Next Generation Investigative Journalism Fellowship

Applications Reopened: Investigative Journalism Mentorship Programme for Women

Call for applications: Training Workshop on Critical Coverage of Africa-China Trade, Investment & Political Relations for Journalists in Anglophone West Africa

Call for Applications: Production of a documentary on the role of investigative journalism in combating corruption and promoting public accountability

Call for Applications: Research consultant to conduct policy study to identify and analyse gaps in media and journalism curricula in Ghana

Call for Applications: Editor for Investigative Journalism Mentorship Programme

Call for Applications: Investigative Journalism Mentorship Programme for Women

Opportunity: INMA 30 under 30 awards open for applications

Call for Nominations: Malaysian Palm Oil Council’s West Africa media familiarisation visit to Malaysia

Call for Consultants: Development and Production of Project Documentary

Call for Vendors: Prequalification of Service Providers and Vendors

CALL FOR APPLICATIONS: Financial Data Analysts/Financial Experts to Produce Analytical Reports for Accountability Journalism

More Opportunities