Investigative journalist Manasseh Azure Awuni has explained why he parted ways with the Ghana Journalists Association (GJA), accusing the body of turning against him for exposing corruption.
According to him, the association that should have defended truth and accountability chose instead to shield powerful interests.
“I left because the association fought me for fighting corruption,” he declared in a social media post sighted by MyNewsGh, recalling events in 2017 after his exposé on a $74 million fraudulent contract awarded to the Jospong Group.
The story, which led to the contract’s cancellation, was later adjudged the overall best report at the 2018 West Africa Media Excellence Awards (WAMECA).
Yet, the GJA leadership at the time issued a press statement attacking him, not for any factual inaccuracy, but for allegedly “destroying a profitable Ghanaian business.”
Manasseh argued that such thinking undermines the very essence of journalism.
“Exposing corruption or unconscionable business dealings is not synonymous with targeting Ghanaian businesses,” he said, adding that accountability journalism is not an attack on local enterprise but a safeguard for public interest.
Citing a recent example, he criticized the GJA for allowing KGL Group’s Executive Chairman, Alex Apau Dadey, to use its award platform to accuse The Fourth Estate of undermining Ghanaian businesses through investigative reporting.
“It is unfortunate that the GJA should follow money and allow private businesses caught in accountability journalism to spread this tired and false narrative,” Manasseh lamented.
He further questioned the association’s growing corporate ties, noting that the 2025 awards have been branded the GJA/KGL Awards, a development he finds troubling.
“The GJA must resist corporate capture and act in the interest of its members and good journalism,” he urged.
