A new group of 50 journalists have been inducted into the Africa Extractive Media Fellowship (AEMF) following the graduation of the programme's inaugural cohort of 20 fellows, in a move aimed at strengthening specialised reporting on mining and natural resource governance across Ghana.

The fellowship, with support from the Australian High Commission to Ghana, seeks to equip journalists with the knowledge and practical skills to produce accurate, evidence-based and solutions-focused reporting on the extractive sector.

The initiative is expected to enhance public understanding of responsible mining while promoting transparency and accountability in the management of Ghana's natural resources.

Speaking at the inauguration, Programme Lead for the Fellowship, Kwakye Afreh-Nuamah, encouraged participants to make full use of the opportunities provided by the programme.

"I urge you to immerse yourself in the fellowship. We have built the infrastructure; it is yours to use. You are joining something that is no longer just an idea; you're joining a programme with a track record and with partners who believe in the standard," he said.

Australian High Commissioner to Ghana, Bernice Owen-Jones reaffirmed Australia's support for responsible mining and the development of journalists covering the extractive industry.

"In the eyes of many, Australia and responsible mining are synonymous," she said, adding that the Australian High Commission remains committed to supporting the development of journalists in the extractive sector.

The fellowship provides participants with opportunities to engage policymakers, regulators, industry players, researchers and mining communities, enabling them to produce more informed and impactful stories on the sector.

The graduation of the maiden cohort marks the successful completion of the programme's first phase, while the induction of the second cohort signals its expansion and continued investment in building a network of specialised extractive sector journalists.

Among the journalists selected for the second cohort is Jessie Eyram Agbakpo of Multimedia Group's JoyBusiness, alongside 49 other journalists from media organisations across the country.