Sexual corruption, a pervasive yet underreported issue in many sectors of society, was the focus of a specialized training program for journalists to equip them with tools to report on the subject with accuracy and sensitivity.

Organized under the Media Foundation for West Africa’s capacity-building initiative on gender-sensitive reporting, the workshop is to empower journalists with skills to report on sexual corruption from a gender-sensitive perspective.

The training was supported by PAIReD, a programme funded by GIZ and co-financed by the European Union.

Harriet Gyan, Component Manager for Civil Society and Media at PAIReD, mentioned the importance of addressing sexual corruption, describing it as a societal issue that undermines equity and accountability.

“Sexual corruption often goes unnoticed because people fail to recognize it as a form of corruption. When someone is asked to exchange sexual favors for employment or academic opportunities, it is corruption, just like bribery. This training is part of our efforts to spotlight this issue and equip journalists to combat it,” she said.

Harriet emphasized the role of journalists in shaping public perceptions and called on media professionals to contribute to the fight against sexual corruption by incorporating their newfound skills into their reporting.

“We hope that after this training, participants will develop policies within their organizations to address sexual harassment and create supportive environments for victims to come forward,” she added.

Bridging gaps in awareness and policy

Dr. Aurelia Ayisi, a lecturer at the Department of Communication Studies at the University of Ghana and one of the facilitators, acknowledged the role journalists play in influencing societal attitudes.

She urged participants to leverage their platforms to address gaps in awareness about sexual corruption.

“Education and awareness are the low-hanging fruits, but they remain important gaps in tackling sexual corruption. Media coverage must frame these issues to enlighten audiences and ensure accountability,” Dr. Ayisi said.

She encouraged participants to utilize the knowledge gained during the workshop to contribute to the upcoming 16 Days of Activism Against Gender-Based Violence, suggesting sexual corruption as a focal theme for their stories.

“This training has offered an eye opening experience for many of us. Moving forward, let’s use our networks to collaborate, share resources, and amplify our efforts to expose this pervasive issue,” Dr. Ayisi added.

Calls for stronger enforcement and collaboration

Rebecca Ekpe, News Editor at the Ghana Broadcasting Corporation and another facilitator, mentioned the need for institutions to enforce strict penalties for perpetrators of sexual corruption.

“Awareness campaigns and clear reporting mechanisms are important. Many victims suffer in silence because they fear backlash. Empowering students and employees with knowledge and support systems is necessary for change,” she said.

Rebecca again mentioned the importance of collaboration between media and civil society  in eradicating sexual corruption.

“This is a fight for equity, trust, and dignity in Ghana. By working together, we can expose perpetrators and ensure that these practices are no longer normalized,” she stated.

The training provided a platform for participants to share strategies for addressing sexual corruption in their fields.

It also offered guidance on using legal frameworks and organizational policies to create safer environments.

Participants expressed their commitment to applying the skills learned during the programme.

Many acknowledged the significance of such workshops in equipping journalists to tackle sensitive and complex issues with professionalism and ethics.