Investigative journalist Manasseh Azure Awuni has revealed that he resigned from the Ghana Journalists Association (GJA) in 2017 because, according to him, the Association “fought” him for exposing corruption.

In a detailed statement shared this week, Mr Manasseh explained that his decision followed the GJA’s reaction to one of his major investigations which led to the cancellation of a $74 million fraudulent contract awarded to the Jospong Group.

He said instead of commending the investigation — which later won the Overall Best Story at the 2018 West Africa Media Excellence Awards (WAMECA) — the GJA leadership at the time issued a statement attacking him, suggesting that “profitable Ghanaian businesses should not be destroyed in the name of investigative journalism.”

“The press statement did not state anything wrong with the investigation,” Mr Manasseh said, adding that the GJA’s position made it appear as though exposing corruption by local companies was unpatriotic.

Mr Manasseh also criticised the current GJA leadership for what he described as a repeat of the same mistake.

He expressed concern that the Association had recently provided its platform for similar attacks against The Fourth Estate, the investigative journalism project he founded.

The controversy stems from The Fourth Estate’s report on a contract between the National Lotteries Authority (NLA) and KGL Group, which the publication alleged diverted significant public funds from the Authority to the private company.

Speaking at the launch of the 2024 GJA Awards, KGL Group’s Executive Chairman, Mr. Alex Apau Dadey, made remarks widely interpreted as a rebuke of The Fourth Estate’s publication.

He lamented what he called a tendency to “undermine successful local champions,” adding:

“The default reaction to successful local businesses is suspicion rather than celebration.

Why do we cheer foreign conglomerates but question the success of local ones?”

Manasseh argued that such statements, especially when made from a GJA platform, endanger accountability journalism.
“This is unfortunate, and the GJA should not follow money and allow private businesses caught in accountability journalism to spread this tired and false narrative that seeking accountability means destroying local businesses,” he said.

He warned that this narrative “incites the public against journalists” and undermines efforts to expose corruption involving public funds.

The journalist also questioned the decision to brand this year’s event as the GJA/KGL Awards, saying it risks compromising the Association’s independence.
“I don’t remember the GJA awards ever being named together with a sponsor.

Irrespective of KGL’s sponsorship package, its officials shouldn’t be given the platform to undermine the very journalism the GJA awards were created to honour,” he stated.

Manasseh rejected claims that Ghanaian journalists target local businesses, stressing that the media plays a vital role in supporting ethical entrepreneurship.
“There are thousands of local businesses that have been built with the support of the media,” he said.

“But there are also those who connive with politicians to sign obscene contracts detrimental to the state.

Exposing them is not anti-business — it is pro-accountability.”

He added that businesses using public funds must be open to scrutiny:
“If a company thinks a publication got the facts wrong, it should respond with evidence or a rejoinder — not seek refuge behind nationalistic rhetoric.”

Manasseh urged the GJA to “resist corporate capture” and return to its core mandate of defending journalists and promoting ethical, independent reporting.
“The GJA must act in the interest of its members and of good journalism,” he concluded.