Our investigative journalism project, The Fourth Estate, has received glowing tribute from the University Teachers Association of Ghana (UTAG) for its impactful work in accountability journalism. The recognition, which happened at UTAG’s 22nd Biennial National Delegates Congress on September 30, 2025, at the Palace Hill Hotel in Aburi, was conferred by way of a Citation of Honour engraved into a sculpted glass plaque.
“For your fearless investigative journalism that strengthens transparency, accountability, and democratic governance, safeguarding resources and advancing ethical journalism in Ghana,” the citation reads. Professor Nana Aba Appiah Amfo, Vice Chancellor of the University of Ghana and Chair of the Congress, read the citation and presented the honour to the MFWA.
The award was received on behalf of MFWA’s Executive Director, Sulemana Braimah, by Dora Boamah Mawutor, Director of Freedom of Expression and Digital Rights; Dr. Daniel Kwame Ampofo Adjei, PMP®, Manager for Institutional Development & MEL; and Seth Bokpe, Associate Editor at The Fourth Estate. This recognition adds to the growing number of accolades that The Fourth Estate has been receiving globally for its fearless and impactful accountability journalism.
In August 2024, The Fourth Estate was named the winner of the Media and Information category at the 2024 World Justice Challenge, a global competition designed by the US-based World Justice Project to identify, recognise, and promote good practices and high-impact initiatives that protect and advance the rule of law. In doing so, it beat competition from journalism projects from Argentina, Mexico, Azerbaijan, and Albania.
Meanwhile, journalists from The Fourth Estate have routinely won awards in local journalism competitions, such as the Ghana Journalists’ Association (GJA) annual journalism awards. Earlier this year, on May 7, 2025, two journalists of The Fourth Estate won the Best Long-Form Report on Illegal Mining award at the maiden edition of the Media Freedom Coalition Awards.
Through fearless accountability journalism, The Fourth Estate continues to expose corruption in Ghanaian society, serve as a watchdog for public accountability, and hold duty bearers accountable to the people. Despite facing calculated lawsuits and death threats to some of its journalists, The Fourth Estate remains resolute in its mission to demand public accountability.
The Fourth Estate’s investigations have compelled the Government of Ghana to pursue the recovery of nearly GHS 3 billion from corrupt public officials, with some accepting to return part of the stolen money in plea bargain agreements. Beyond financial recoveries, The Fourth Estate has also influenced compliance with Ghana’s asset declaration law and triggered reforms within public administration including among the judiciary.
About The Fourth Estate
The Fourth Estate is a non-profit, public interest and accountability investigative journalism project of the Media Foundation for West Africa (MFWA). It aims to promote independent journalism that holds those in power answerable to the people they govern.
