Five years ago, we launched The Fourth Estate, our public-interest journalism project with one simple mission: investigate matters of public interest, expose wrongdoing, and help citizens hold power to account.
We are opening a new chapter in this journey by launching The Fourth Estate Membership Programme with the aim of bringing together a community of people who believe in sustaining independent, public-interest journalism.
Since we launched the project in 2021, investigations by The Fourth Estate have helped put accountability issues firmly on the national agenda. It’s reporting and campaigns have contributed to hundreds of public officials complying with asset declaration requirements; cancellation or review of controversial multi-million contracts; and reforms to many sectors including the administration of government scholarships and the National Service enrolment and management.
The Fourth Estate has also investigated questionable public procurement, destruction of forest reserves, misuse of state resources and other issues affecting the lives of ordinary Ghanaians.
Behind these stories is a team of journalists, activists and advocates committed to following the evidence wherever it leads.
“The Fourth Estate was created because we believed Ghana needed a newsroom that could devote itself to accountability journalism without being driven by commercial or political interests. Five years on, that need has become even more important and we have to keep it going,” Said Sulemana Braimah, Executive Director of the Media Foundation for West Africa.
But journalism like this requires a community that believes and supports it. So, as we look to the future, we want to build a broader community of people who value independent journalism and want to play a part in keeping it strong.
Members of The Fourth Estate can contribute in diverse ways and will have access to benefits including a members-only newsletter, early access to selected investigations, support in using Ghana’s Right to Information law, and The Fourth Estate Connect, which is a community that brings together members, journalists and changemakers to build a better society.
The membership is really not about the benefits. It is about standing behind journalism that asks difficult questions, investigates how public resources are used and insists that those entrusted with power remain accountable.
Join us now and be part of The Fourth Estate. Click here to join our community.
