The Africa Extractive Media Fellowship (AEMF), an initiative aimed at building the capacity of journalists in Africa to tell compelling stories on the extractive sector, is underway in Accra.

The six-month fellowship is designed to prioritise responsible and evidence-based journalism to promote accountability in the exploitation and utilisation of natural resources for the continent’s development.

It is spearheaded by a consortium of partners, including Newswire Africa, the Australian High Commission, the Ghana Chamber of Mines (GCM), the University of Ghana Business School (UGBS), and the University of Mines and Technology (UMaT).

First cohort

At the launch of the initiative at the Australian High Commission, the first cohort of 30 journalists who were selected after a rigorous vetting process, were inducted into the fellowship.

Drawn across the media spectrum – print, broadcast, online- the journalists would be with investigative skills to tell data-driven stories about mining, oil and gas, environment and social governance (ESG), climate change and energy transition, and policy framework within the extractive sector.

Apart from the accomplished facilitators who take charge of the training sessions, the programme blends mentorship from industry experts, academics while also leveraging field visits for hands-on experience.

Responsible Journalism

In a speech delivered for him by the Deputy Chief of Staff in charge of Administration at the Office of the President, Nana Oye Bampoe Addo, the Chief of Staff, Julius Debrah, said the fellowship was a timely initiative that would contribute to the effective management of the country’s natural resources.

He emphasised that ethical journalism was crucial in shaping national policy and accountability regimes in the extractive sector.

“The extractive sector remains both a blessing and a menace in Africa. It is the centre of environmental degradation, revenue loss, illicit financial flows, and even conflict. Yet, with responsible journalism grounded in evidence, transparency, and integrity, we can turn it into a driver of national survival and development justice,” he stressed.

Mr Debrah said despite its significant contribution to the GDP of countries, it was worrying that much of the wealth from the extractive sector had not translated into meaningful development for citizens.

“Such losses affect education, youth employment, agriculture, and climate adaptation; and that is why we need well-equipped journalists to champion reform and ensure stronger accountability across Africa,” he said.

He urged the fellows to uphold integrity and diligence, reminding them that their work directly contributed to Ghana’s governance and accountability.

“It should be a shared responsibility,” she said, congratulating the selected journalists.

Australia’s commitment

The Australian High Commissioner to Ghana, Berenice Jones-Owen, emphasised her government’s commitment to responsible governance and transparent media across Africa.

She highlighted the growing role of Australian mining companies on the continent, stating that over 150 Australian mining companies were currently operating in 30 African countries, with investments exceeding 60 billion Australian dollars.

“These investments are not just about minerals, they are about people-to-people connections that strengthen education, training and professional exchange,” she said.

She announced that Australian investments in Ghana alone were expected to generate over 7,000 direct and indirect jobs.

Beyond that, she emphasised, Australia’s partnership with Ghana had also focused on human capacity development.

“In the last two decades, the Australian Government has supported more than 500 Ghanaians through the Australia Awards programme to study, conduct research, and pursue professional development at top universities,” she said.

Good initiative

Ms Jones-Owen commended Newswire Africa and the fellowship organisers for creating a platform that links responsible journalism with sustainable development and gender equality.

She particularly lauded efforts to increase the representation of women’s voices in reporting on the extractive sector.

“Women are often missing from the extractive industry narrative.

This fellowship will help change that story,” she said, encouraging the fellows to use their platforms to inform, question and inspire.

Stories, credibility

The Programme Lead for the Africa Extractive Media Fellowship, Kwakye Afreh-Nuamah, said the initiative was born out of a need to “complete Africa’s story.”

“We have gold, oil, gas, and so many natural resources, yet the lives of the people most affected, the miners, women traders, displaced families, and local communities, are often missing from the narrative,” he said.

“Our stories are shaped in boardrooms and policy tables rather than in communities.

That imbalance is what AEMF seeks to correct.”

He added that the fellowship would empower journalists to amplify community voices, ensure accuracy in reporting, and hold both local and multinational corporations accountable.

The Deputy Chief Executive of the Petroleum Hub Development Corporation, Onasis Rosely, called for greater confidence in local journalism.

He praised the fellowship for bridging the skills gap and promoting professionalism within the media.