Prince Ato Kwamena Koomson, founder and editor of Voices of Concern, has been selected as one of the fellows for the 6th Next Generation Investigative Journalism (NGIJ) Fellowship organized by the Media Foundation for West Africa (MFWA). This announcement marks a notable achievement for Ato and underscores the growing impact of independent, youth-led journalism in Ghana.
The NGIJ Fellowship is a fully-funded, residential program that runs from July to September 2025. It brings together a carefully chosen group of early-career journalists from across the country to receive intensive training and mentorship in investigative reporting. Fellows are not only trained in research and storytelling techniques but are also supported in producing high-impact, accountability-driven journalism that serves the public interest.
For Prince Ato Kwamena Koomson, the fellowship represents an opportunity to deepen the work he has been doing through Voices of Concern. Since its inception, the platform has focused on issues that often go underreported in mainstream media. Topics explored by Ato and his team include unsafe walkways, failing public transport systems, urban trading, market infrastructure, and street hawking across Ghana. These stories aim to highlight the lived experiences of everyday Ghanaians as they navigate life, hardship, and systemic neglect.
“Voices of Concern started as a platform to highlight stories that often go unheard — stories of everyday Ghanaians navigating life, hardship, and systemic neglect. This fellowship offers me the tools, network, and editorial support to take that mission further,” Ato shared. His work has consistently focused on connecting the public with critical issues that demand attention from authorities, urban planners, and policymakers.
During the fellowship, Ato will receive one-on-one mentorship from experienced editors and investigative journalists, including Al Jazeera’s Kent Mensah. The program also includes workshops covering data journalism, storytelling techniques, and post-publication advocacy strategies. Fellows are encouraged to produce investigative pieces that hold institutions accountable, uncover systemic flaws, and spark public discourse.
This recognition is significant not only for Ato personally but also for Voices of Concern as a platform. Since its founding, Voices of Concern has grown into a trusted source for reporting on civic issues, infrastructure gaps, and urban life challenges in Ghana. Through the fellowship, Ato aims to enhance both the depth and reach of these reports, ensuring they inform, engage, and mobilize the public and policymakers alike.
The NGIJ Fellowship is designed to empower journalists to pursue stories that have meaningful social impact. For Ato, the opportunity provides a space to experiment with investigative techniques, collaborate with peers, and access resources that are often unavailable to independent journalists. By leveraging the fellowship’s training and mentorship, he will be better positioned to produce hard-hitting stories that bring attention to underreported social, political, and infrastructural issues.
Youth-led, independent journalism in Ghana has been steadily gaining recognition for its role in amplifying marginalized voices and fostering accountability. Ato’s selection for the fellowship affirms that platforms like Voices of Concern are not only filling important gaps in news coverage but also contributing to the professional development of journalists and the broader media landscape.
The fellowship runs until September 2025, during which time Ato will work on investigative projects designed to highlight systemic issues, urban challenges, and social accountability concerns. His participation promises to strengthen both his skills as a journalist and the capacity of Voices of Concern to continue delivering impactful stories.
This milestone is a testament to Ato’s dedication to reporting with integrity, creativity, and a focus on public interest. It underscores the potential of committed, independent journalism to create meaningful change in Ghanaian society, particularly when young journalists are equipped with the right tools, mentorship, and platforms to tell stories that matter.
Source: VoicesofConcern.com
