Dikan Centre launches 2024 journalism fellowship to empower next generation

The Dikan Centre, a pioneering institute for media and visual arts education, in partnership with the U.S. Embassy in Ghana has announced the inaugural Dikan Journalism Fellowship launch.

The five-month programme is designed to empower early- to mid-career journalists from across Ghana, offering ten selected fellows from diverse media backgrounds – including four women – a unique opportunity to “take the lead” in impactful journalism that addresses Ghana’s most pressing issues.

The Dikan Journalism Fellowship kicked off with a launch event featuring keynotes from prominent media figures and friends of Dikan – including Matthew Asada, Press Attaché at the U.S. Embassy in Ghana; Beatrice Owusu-Boateng, former head of Dikan’s Education Department; and Professor Kwamena Kwansah-Aidoo, former rector of the Ghana Institute of Journalism and current Board Chair of New Times Corporation.

The programme’s distinguished partner, the U.S. Embassy, was introduced during the event. The fellowship will culminate with a graduation and display event in March 2025, where fellows will present their final projects to an audience of community members, media leaders and supporters.

The Fellowship provides participants with financial support, cutting-edge tools and access to esteemed local and international mentors, fostering an environment where journalists can step back from daily duties and focus on producing high-impact, in-depth reporting.

With guidance from renowned mentors, fellows will work on crucial topics including gender, environmental issues, human rights, democracy and governance – areas essential to fostering an informed and transparent media landscape in Ghana.

“We are thrilled to welcome this exceptional group of journalists,” noted Paul Ninson, Director-Dikan Centre. “At Dikan, we believe in the power of journalism to drive change. Our goal with this fellowship is to create a space where journalists in Ghana can fully dedicate themselves to investigative reporting and learn from some of the most respected voices in the field.”

Throughout the fellowship, participants will engage in specialised workshops covering digital journalism skills, investigative techniques, data journalism, media law and solutions journalism. A key component of the programme is the Journalists’ Safety Boot Camp – offering essential training in first-aid, mental health support and field safety to equip journalists with the knowledge and resilience they need in their profession.

Fellows and mentorship                                                                                                                                   This year’s fellows include both freelance and employed journalists, all selected for their dedication to public service journalism and their drive to amplify underreported issues. With guidance from seasoned journalists and academics from Ghana and beyond, fellows will acquire the knowledge and experience needed to elevate their work and make meaningful contributions to the field.

Our 2024-2025 fellows are:

• Rebecca Tetteh
• Esther Agyapong
• Dollita Okine
• Stella Botchwey
• Prince Antwi Boasiako
• Jeremiah Nutsugah
• Joseph Kuuire
• Narh Joshua
• Ishmael Awudi

About the Dikan Centre                                                                                                                                      The Dikan Centre is dedicated to advancing Ghanaian media and journalism by providing training, resources and platforms for impactful storytelling. Through programmes like the Dikan Journalism Fellowship, the Centre strives to build a stronger, more informed media landscape that upholds the principles of transparency, accountability and democracy.

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