The Fourth Estate’s investigation titled “Forest Invasion” was adjudged the third-best African Investigative Journalism report at the prestigious African Investigative Journalist of the Year Awards, held in Johannesburg, South Africa.

Authored by Seth J. Bokpe and Edmund Agyemang Boateng, ‘Forest Invasion’ exposed a striking contradiction in Ghana’s quest to eliminate mining in forest reserves by 2035 and the flood of mining leases granted to politically exposed persons, including Bernard Antwi-Bosiako, alias Chairman Wontumi, and the former mayor of Kumasi, Sam Pyne.

The leases were granted in protected forests, including globally significant biodiversity areas protected by international conventions.

Convener of the awards jury, Gwen Lister, commended the high calibre of entries this year.

“Myself and fellow judges, themselves all acclaimed journalists, Hamadou Tidiane Sy, Senegal; Maggie Michaels, Egypt; Fernando Lima, Mozambique, and Beauregard Tromp, South Africa, felt that the entries reflected not just strong resilience on the part of African journalists, but also showed the emergence of promising newcomers on the horizon of investigative journalism,” she said.

Ms Lister underscored the crucial role of investigative journalism in holding power to account.

“The great value of investigative journalism lies in uncovering malfeasance and exposing it with incontestable facts. With ever-dwindling resources and few accolades, this work can be taxing. But we urge you to stay the course. For every person, household, community, and nation you help, your contribution is beyond measure,” she said.  

Journalists from The Fourth Estate expressed excitement at the recognition, describing it as a reaffirmation of their mission to pursue truth and accountability in the public interest.

“We’re excited to be honoured among Africa’s topmost investigative journalists. This will certainly fuel us to do more in shining light on the darkness and demand more transparency and accountability from our leaders.”

The Editor-in-Chief of the Nation Media Group, Dr Joe Agey, who delivered the keynote address, expressed satisfaction about the media’s shifting interest in environmental reporting.

He was full of praise for Africa’s investigative journalists, who brave the odds to hold public officeholders accountable.

“The enemies of truth will always be with us. They will threaten, sue and surveil, but let us keep digging, muckraking, and shining the light. As long as we do, the darkness will never win,” he said.

Other Winners

First place went to Dewald van Rensburg of South Africa’s investigative unit amaBhungane for his explosive series “City of Gold,” which exposes how corruption, tax fraud, and regulatory failures fuel South Africa’s vast illicit gold trade.

Second place was awarded to Mustapha K. Darboe of The Republic in The Gambia for his report, “The Assets of Former Dictator Go for a Song.” His investigation detailed how assets seized from ousted dictator, Yahya Jammeh were sold off to friends, family, and government officials at a fraction of their real value, revealing deep-rooted corruption in the post-Jammeh era.

About The Fourth Estate’s award-winning investigation

Forest Invasion:Companies Owned by Wontumi, Kumasi Mayor & Others Scramble to Mine in Ghana’s Forest Reserves, uncovered how politically connected individuals benefited from a controversial law that incentivized mining in protected forests.

Despite Ghana’s 2016 Forestry Development Master Plan, which aims to phase out mining in forest reserves by 2035, and commitments under the ECOWAS Environmental Action Plan (2020-2026) to protect biodiversity, the government granted prospecting and mining licenses to companies linked to influential figures including the Ashanti Regional Chairman of the ruling NPP, Bernard Antwi Boasiako (Wontumi) and former Kumasi Mayor, Samuel Pyne.

The exposé triggered widespread public outrage and legal action. Five civil society organizations and an individual sued the government, demanding the suspension of the mining licenses granted to politically exposed persons.

The Ghana Institute of Foresters (GIF) also petitioned then-President Akufo-Addo to revoke all licenses in forest reserves, citing violations of environmental regulations and threats to national biodiversity.

This marks the second consecutive year that The Fourth Estate has ranked among the top three winners at the AIJC awards. In 2024, its investigation “The GHS 3 Billion Lie and the Billion-Dollar Contract” was adjudged the second-best African Investigative Journalism report.

The African Investigative Journalism Awards, supported by Absa Africa, celebrate excellence in investigative journalism across the continent. The awards were a highlight of the annual AIJC, which brings together Africa’s leading journalists, editors, and media innovators.