Unmasking Corruption in Africa: Understanding the Challenges Investigative Journalism Faces in Reporting Political Corruption in Ghana

Abstract Ghana is often lauded as a success story of liberal democracy in Africa. However, the persistence of corruption, particularly political corruption, poses a significant obstacle to the gains of democratic success. The fight against corruption has not been left solely to the government. Under the umbrella of investigative journalism, the media and individual investigative journalists have bolstered efforts to combat corruption. However, reporting on corruption presents numerous barriers for investigative journalists in Ghana, with media ownership being a significant factor. Media ownership influences media outlets’ editorial independence and financial stability, affecting the extent and depth of investigative reporting. Drawing on media ownership theory, this study seeks to ascertain the challenges that investigative journalists face in reporting political corruption in Ghana. The article draws on qualitative research, including in-depth structured interviews, to provide insights into this social phenomenon. The findings reveal that funding problems, political interference, media ownership, access to information and death threats are the key challenges faced by investigative journalists in Ghana. The conclusion discusses the implications of these findings for urgent and relevant policy reform, underlining the pressing need for immediate action. This article contributes to the theoretical debate about the effectiveness of investigative journalism in combating corruption in Ghana.