Ghana journalist among 42 African media leaders in MTN's new innovation initiative

The MTN Group, University of Johannesburg and African Editors' Forum have launched a continental media development initiative, with a Ghanaian journalist among 42 practitioners selected for the first cohort. The MTN Pan-African Media Innovation Programme represents a significant effort to equip African newsrooms with the skills and strategies needed to navigate rapid technological change, shifting audience behaviour, and evolving business models in the digital age.

The inaugural class brings together journalists, editors and media practitioners from ten African countries, including South Africa, Nigeria, Rwanda, Eswatini, Ghana, Côte d'Ivoire, Cameroon, South Sudan, Zambia and Benin. Participants represent a cross-section of the African media landscape, spanning print, broadcast, digital and independent newsrooms.

Why it matters for Ghana

Ghana's media landscape is recognised across Africa as relatively robust, but Ghanaian newsrooms face the same pressures as their continental peers: revenue models under strain, audience migration to digital platforms, competition from global tech giants, and the growing influence of artificial intelligence in news production. The inclusion of a Ghanaian journalist in this programme offers valuable opportunities for knowledge transfer back to Ghana's media sector.

The initiative comes at a critical time for African journalism. Press freedom remains under threat in many countries, while economic pressures have forced newsrooms to do more with fewer resources. The participation of Ghanaian media practitioners in a continent-wide learning network could strengthen local reporting capacity and help develop sustainable business models for Ghana's news organisations.

A structured six-week curriculum

The certified programme combines online academic study with practical, hands-on work. Fellows will focus on six key areas: pan-African media futures and storytelling, media innovation and entrepreneurship, digital transformation and platform economies, digital journalism with content strategy and analytics, media business strategy and sustainability, and media ethics, law and governance in the digital age.

Beyond classroom learning, each participant will develop a practical innovation project targeting a real challenge or opportunity in their own newsroom or the broader media sector. This approach grounds theoretical knowledge in the daily realities African journalists face.

Building a continental community

The programme extends beyond the six-week curriculum. Organisers intend to establish a standing pan-African community of practice where fellows from different countries and newsrooms exchange knowledge, build networks, and collaborate on solutions to shared challenges. These relationships are designed to outlast the programme itself, creating lasting connections across African media.

The initiative builds on the success of the MTN Nigeria Media Innovation Programme, established in 2022. The Nigerian programme's fifth cohort is currently undertaking a study visit to South Africa to engage with leaders from academia, business, government and media institutions.

Emmanuel K. Dogbevi, Vice President of the African Editors' Forum, emphasised the stakes during the cohort's virtual induction. He noted that shrinking democratic space, attacks on press freedom and technological disruption all pose challenges to journalism, but also present opportunities for conscious, responsible journalists to lead positive change. He called on fellows to hold themselves accountable to facts and to serve their communities through impactful reporting that upholds professional standards.

For Ghana's media sector, the participation of a local journalist in this continental initiative signals continued engagement with industry-wide efforts to strengthen African journalism in an increasingly digital world.