Fact-Check Ghana is a fact-checking project of the Media Foundation for West Africa (MFWA). The MFWA is West Africa’s biggest and most influential media development and freedom of expression advocacy organisation with headquarters in Accra Ghana and national partner organisations in all 16 countries of West Africa. The project has a dedicated team of experienced journalists and researchers who are supported by programme and administrative staff of the MFWA.

Our legal status as an organisation is clearly spelt out in the "about us" section. Below is a link attached.

https://www.fact-checkghana.com/about/

Fact-Check Ghana is known in the West African journalism community as an independent project of the Media Foundation for West Africa (MFWA). While the project is domiciled in MFWA for programmatic and administrative support, the practice of fact-checking is conducted by a distinct team consisting of an editor and researchers. Evidence of this relationship can be found in the "About Us" section of Fact-Check Ghana's website.

Ghana has over the years witnessed a significant increase in access to the internet and ownership of smartphones. The country is also home to a diverse, pluralistic media scene and a vibrant, competitive multi-party democratic political environment. This myriad of factors among others has led to the proliferation of fake news, misinformation and propaganda, especially during electioneering campaigns, political debates, public health and other emergencies, and other matters of significant national and/or international public interest.

During electioneering campaigns, for example, political parties and candidates tend to wittingly or unwittingly peddle falsehood, misleading statements and propaganda in their bid to earn votes. Such claims often gain public traction in both online and legacy media through republications. Over the years, such claims by politicians have not been subjected to any form of routine fact-checking, a situation that has allowed political parties and candidates to often pay little attention to the veracity of the claims and messages they make.

The proliferation of fake news, misinformation and propaganda in public discourse if not countered, has a great potential of influencing people to make wrong choices and sometimes, dangerous and harmful decisions.

Established in 2016, the Fact-Check Ghana project, therefore, seeks to enhance fact-based public discourse, debates and decision-making in Ghana’s democratic governance and development processes. This is done by fact-checking claims, statements, promises and messages that are of public interest, and widely publicising findings to help the public make informed opinions, decisions and choices.
Currently, the team is made of 8 fact-checkers and Researchers, including an Editor-In-Chief.

Fact-Check Ghana has stated -

1. that the project was set up in 2016 to "enhance fact-based public discourse, debates and decision-making in Ghana’s democratic governance and development processes" as a result of the "proliferation of fake news, misinformation and propaganda, especially during electioneering campaigns, political debates, public health and other emergencies, and other matters of significant national and/or international public interest."

2. (in this application) that there are 8 fact-checkers and researchers, including an Editor-In-Chief, although, on the website, there is mention of 1 Editor, 1 Programme Officier, and 5 Researchers/Writers

3. that the project fact-checks claims, statements, promises and messages that are of public interest, and widely publicising findings to help the public make informed opinions, decisions and choices. There doesn't seem to be other activities apart from the sole business of fact-checking.

4. There is no mention of the goals for the coming year. It is, however, assumed that the project will continue to conduct fact-checking in accordance with IFCN's principles

Yes. We have published at least one article a week over the course of six months prior to the date of application. Here is the latest article on our website. 
https://www.fact-checkghana.com/15-faqs-about-the-right-to-information-law/

Upon reviewing the fact-checks/articles on the website, I can confirm that fact-checks were not published on at least the following weeks:

1. September 25th - October 1st

2. September 18th - September 24th

3. September 11th - September 17th

4. August 28th - September 3rd

Also, a total of 22 fact-checks including monthly round-ups were published between May 1st, 2022, and October 31st, 2022 

It is possible that my assessment is wrong; as such, I would recommend attaching a spreadsheet of fact-checks published over the last six months with links to the exact article on the website and the date published.

Upon reviewing the fact-checks/articles on the website, I can confirm that fact-checks were not published on at least the following weeks:

1. September 25th - October 1st

2. September 18th - September 24th

3. September 11th - September 17th

4. August 28th - September 3rd

Also, a total of 22 fact-checks including monthly round-ups were published between May 1st, 2022, and October 31st, 2022 

While it seems that at least one fact-check was not published over the course of the six months prior to the date of application, yet, enough fact-checks have been published in 2022 which signifies a dedication to the practice of fact-checking.

I can confirm that on average, at least 75% of the applicant’s fact checks focus on claims related to issues that, in my opinion, relate to or could have an impact on the welfare or well-being of individuals, the general public or society. These fact-checks are in the categories of economy, health, politics, and education, all of which are fundamental to the functioning of a democratic society.

The activities of Fact-check Ghana are underwritten by Media Foundation for West Africa. More details are in the link attached: https://www.fact-checkghana.com/funders/

Upon review of the financial support details contained in the website of Fact-Check Ghana's parent organization, there does not seem to be any funding relationship with the state, politicians or political parties in Ghana.

The parent organization, MFWA, receives funding from a diverse pool of grant-giving organizations as stated on this page: https://www.mfwa.org/about-us/our-partners/funding-partners-2/

https://www.fact-checkghana.com/funders/

In this page, Fact-Check Ghana explains the editorial independence of its work as it relates to funding.

"While Fact-check Ghana is underwritten by the Media Foundation for West Africa (MFWA) and operates under the Media and Good Governance portfolio of the MFWA managed by Abigail Larbi Odei, editorially, it operates independently. At the helm of editorial decision making is an independent editorial board made up of accomplished media practitioners and academics. The editorial board approves the editorial strategy and policies of Fact-check Ghana. The board holds periodic meetings to review editorial operations and make new recommendations."

As indicated in our methodology, all fact-check reports undergo these processes:

Is the statement verifiable?

Is the claim significant?

Is the claim thought to be misleading?

Is the claim likely to be repeated as fact during public discourse?

Would the average person be misled by the claim?

And of course, we do make sure that all but opinions count in our fact-checking process.

Here are links to 10 of our fact-check reports

1. https://www.fact-checkghana.com/ndc-national-organisers-claim-on-use-of-guns-during-demo-false/

2. https://www.fact-checkghana.com/there-was-no-procurement-process-transport-ministry-contradicts-paul-adom-otchere-on-airport-xmas-tree-saga/

3. https://www.fact-checkghana.com/bawumiaspeaks-here-are-the-false-misleading-claims-in-the-veeps-economy-speech/

4. https://www.fact-checkghana.com/john-kumahs-claim-on-total-infractions-in-auditor-generals-report-false/

5. https://www.fact-checkghana.com/false-ken-ofori-atta-did-not-say-govt-spent-gh%c2%a236-million-on-agenda-111-logo/

6. https://www.fact-checkghana.com/covid-19-vaccination-sammy-gyamfis-use-of-whos-side-effect-data-misleading/

7. https://www.fact-checkghana.com/its-false-nobel-prize-winner-did-not-say-all-vaccinated-people-will-die-within-2-years/

8. https://www.fact-checkghana.com/fake-parliament-house-has-not-hanged-john-mahamas-photo-as-president-of-ghana/

9. https://www.fact-checkghana.com/who-built-the-keta-sea-defence-wall-napos-false-misleading-claims/

10. https://www.fact-checkghana.com/pokuase-interchange-mahama-or-akufo-addo-legacy-here-are-the-bare-facts/

After reviewing Fact-Check Ghana's website, I can see that there are two fact-checking methodologies - for the selection of claims and for the investigation of claims. For the selection of claims, researchers ask the following questions:

• Is the statement verifiable?
• Is the claim significant?
• Is the claim thought to be misleading?
• Is the claim likely to be repeated as fact during public discourse?
• Would the average person be misled by the claim?

For the investigation of claims, the editorial process is to:

• Call or contact claimants to get more details on the claim or subject matter if necessary.
• Map and select available credible sources for verification.
• Contact experts.
• Produce reports

Fact-Check Ghana produces fact-check reports in the thematic areas of politics, education, health and economy. These reports do not seem to be targeted toward a particular political party or regional entity, but rather, selected for their ability to influence public discourse negatively or positively. 

Generally, the reports follow the same investigative process, and where there is a deviation, it is clear that the step was not necessary for the production of a credible report. For instance, claimants are not always contacted when there is video evidence of the claimant making the assertion.

https://www.fact-checkghana.com/our-methodology/

Fact-Check Ghana's methodology can be found on its website. Here's an excerpt of the page's contents -

"Fact-checkers look for claims to fact-check in transcripts (interviews or Speeches), major political and current affairs shows, news stories, radio interviews and discussions, social media, party manifestos and press releases.

"Only newsworthy claims are checked and the following criteria are taken into consideration;

• Is the statement verifiable?
• Is the claim significant?
• Is the claim thought to be misleading?
• Is the claim likely to be repeated as fact during public discourse?
• Would the average person be misled by the claim?
• Opinions do not count."

Fact-Check Ghana in its fact-checks always states the source of its evidence which in most cases are official bodies which the legal authority to provide such information.

https://www.fact-checkghana.com/ethics-policy-for-fact-checkers/

Fact-Check Ghana has a very detailed ethics policy on non-partisanship on its website -

"Fact-Check Ghana strives to present facts which are unaffected by personal biases or political agenda.

Fact-Checkers under the project do not let their personal opinions or political alliance affect their work when producing fact-check reports. They work with an independent mindset and are fair in their processes of fact-checking claims.

Consequently, our fact-checkers do not publicly express their political opinion or are involved in any partisan process or activity apart from their civic duty as registered Ghanaian voters who will not discuss their votes after the electoral process.

Our work as fact-checkers are not meant as a contribution to any political party neither is our work meant to project or undermine any political campaigns.

We share our stories on social media, but it is not meant to endorse one political opponent over the other. Also, fact-check Ghana does not express personal political views on social media.

The team is further guided by general media ethical principles including fairness, balance and impartiality in the process of producing fact-check reports. In order to avoid anything that compromises fact-check Ghana, this policy applies to all our fact-checkers because independence and fairness is paramount to us."

Fact-Check Ghana does indeed identify the source of all significant evidence in its fact-checks. In this fact-check on the strength of Ghana's currency, Bloomberg's World Currency Ranker was hyperlinked. Similarly, in this fact-check, Fact-Check Ghana not only links to news articles on the data breach but also the official statement by the affected company. In some other cases and where unapplicable, Fact-Check Ghana does not provide links, however, screenshots of original paper documents are provided as evidence. Case in point, this fact-check - https://www.fact-checkghana.com/there-was-no-procurement-process-transport-ministry-contradicts-paul-adom-otchere-on-airport-xmas-tree-saga/.

In most cases, Fact-Check Ghana utilizes primary sources of information to provide evidence. In this fact-check, Fact-Check Ghana directly links to the foreign news report containing the data in question. Also, in this report, fact-Check Ghana shows that evidence was obtained from the Ghana Health Service following a Right to Information (RTI) request.

This seems to be the norm in the other fact-checks that were reviewed.

In most cases, Fact-Check Ghana provides a single authoritative source of evidence that suffices as credible information for refuting or confirming a claim. This is because the evidence is usually obtained from a primary source thereby giving the report a higher level of credibility that multiple secondary sources will not give. Nevertheless, one can always agree that researchers should strive for multiple sources as is the case in this factcheck - https://www.fact-checkghana.com/russian-and-ukraine-are-not-part-of-countries-with-highest-food-inflation-rate-but-ghana-is/

Fact-Check Ghana identifies in its fact-checks the relevant interests of the sources it uses where the reader might reasonably conclude those interests could influence the accuracy of the evidence provided.

Fact-check Ghana is underwritten by the Media Foundation for West Africa (MFWA) and operates under the Media and Good Governance portfolio of the MFWA.

 At the helm of editorial decision-making is an independent editorial board made up of accomplished media practitioners and academics. The editorial board approves the editorial strategy and policies of Fact-check Ghana. Fact-check Ghana is underwritten by the Media Foundation for West Africa (MFWA) and operates under the Media and Good Governance portfolio of the MFWA managed by Abigail Larbi Odei, editorially, it operates independently. At the helm of editorial decision-making is an independent editorial board made up of accomplished media practitioners and academics. The editorial board approves the editorial strategy and policies of Fact-check Ghana. The board holds periodic meetings to review editorial operations and make new recommendations.

Overall day-to-day editorial decisions and final approval of all content is made by the Editor of Fact-check Ghana hold periodic meetings to review editorial operations and make new recommendations.

Overall day-to-day editorial decisions and final approval of all content is made by the Editor of Fact-check Ghana.

Factcheck Ghana has a statement on the "About Us" section of its website which reads - "Fact-Check Ghana is a fact-checking project of the Media Foundation for West Africa (MFWA)". On the Funders page, there is a quick statement that affirms this relationship and includes a link to MFWA's website where funding partners for the entire organization are listed.

However, there is no mention of the actual organization that funds the fact-checking unit and if it is a fraction of a joint funding pool, there is no mention of the percentage of the total fund that is allocated to the fact-checking project. I would recommend reviewing Africa Check's format for disclosure of funding sources to meet transparency requirements - https://africacheck.org/who-we-are/how-we-are-funded

Factcheck Ghana has a statement on the "About Us" section of its website which reads - 

"Fact-Check Ghana is a fact-checking project of the Media Foundation for West Africa (MFWA). Registered as an Non Governmental Organisation (NGO) with CG069472016, the MFWA is West Africa’s biggest and most influential media development and freedom of expression advocacy organisation with headquarters in Accra Ghana and national partner organisations in all 16 countries of West Africa. The project has a dedicated team of experienced journalists and researchers who are supported by programme and administrative staff of the MFWA."

On Factcheck Ghana's Funders page, funding support is seen to be by the Dutch Foreign Ministry.

https://www.fact-checkghana.com/about/

Factcheck Ghana has a statement on the "About Us" section of its website which reads - "Fact-Check Ghana is a fact-checking project of the Media Foundation for West Africa (MFWA)".

For the purposes of this application, I have seen organizations provide a notarized copy of a document stating the relationship between the parent organization and fact-check organization. The registration number of the parent organization is also disclosed on the website so anyone can verify the legal status of the organization. Please provide that information if possible

On its website, Factcheck Ghana explains its relationship to its parent organization, Media Foundation for West Africa (MFWA).

"Fact-Check Ghana is a fact-checking project of the Media Foundation for West Africa (MFWA)."

The registration number of the parent organization is also disclosed on the website so anyone can verify the legal status of the organization. 

"Registered as a Non Governmental Organisation (NGO) with CG069472016, the MFWA is West Africa’s biggest and most influential media development and freedom of expression advocacy organisation with headquarters in Accra Ghana and national partner organisations in all 16 countries of West Africa."

https://www.fact-checkghana.com/editorial-process/

In the Editorial process page, Fact-Check Ghana highlights the organizational structure and defines the role of each member. According to the Fact-Check Ghana, the organization consists of -

1. an independent editorial board made up of accomplished media practitioners and academics who approve the editorial strategy and policies of Fact-check Ghana

2. the Programme Officer who is in charge of the coordination of editorial content and supervision of Fact-checkers 

3. the Editor who reviews the reports and makes final decisions on the reports

4. the researchers

While the researchers, programme officer, and editor are mentioned on another page on the website, there is no further information about the editorial board which is supposed to provide strategy and exercises editorial control

In the Editorial process page, Fact-Check Ghana highlights its organizational structure and defines the role of each member. According to Fact-Check Ghana, the organization consists of -

1. an independent editorial board made up of accomplished media practitioners and academics who approve the editorial strategy and policies of Fact-check Ghana

2. the Programme Officer who is in charge of the coordination of editorial content and supervision of Fact-checkers 

3. the Editor who reviews the reports and makes final decisions on the reports

4. the researchers

A dedicated page was also created to showcase the biographies of "the team" including the editorial board which provides strategy and exercises editorial control.

https://www.fact-checkghana.com/the-team/

The team of fact-checkers, editor, and programme officer can be found on Fact-Check Ghana's website as stated.

At the extreme bottom of our "about" section, an avenue is provided for people to reach out to us  with a question, comment, suggestion or any other form of support. Attached is a link: https://www.fact-checkghana.com/about/

Users are encouraged to communication with the editorial team with a question, comment, suggestion or any other form of support by writing to Fact-Check Ghana on: info@fact-checkghana.org. You can submit claims for fact-checking through: claims@fact-checkghana.org or facts@fact-checkghana.org 

https://www.fact-checkghana.com/our-methodology/

Fact-Check Ghana has an easy-to-find page devoted to its methodology for the selection, research, writing, and publication of fact-checks

https://www.fact-checkghana.com/our-methodology/ 

"Once a claim or a subject matter is established as worthy of fact-checking based on our methodology, the following step-by-step processes are undertaken to conduct the fact-checking:

• Calling or contacting claimants to get more details on the claim or subject matter if necessary.
• Mapping and selecting available credible sources for verification.
• Contacting experts.
• Producing reports"

Nevertheless, here is a sample fact-check where the person who makes the claim was contacted but failed to reply - https://www.fact-checkghana.com/cost-of-free-shs-figures-from-finance-education-ministries-contradictory/ 

At our " about" section, people are encouraged to send in claims for fact-checking purposes. 

These are the various email addresses claims are sent through:  claims@fact-checkghana.org or facts@fact-checkghana.org

Fact-Check Ghana encourages users to send in claims via their contact emails. It is assumed that by reading the "What is the Approach" section of the About us page, users will know what is fact-checkable and what isn't.

https://www.fact-checkghana.com/corrections-policy/

Fact-Check Ghana provides a detailed corrections policy on its website -

"We at fact-check Ghana do our best to be accurate and unbiased in our reports. However, we recognize that mistakes may happen, new information may emerge concerning published reports or some important information may be missed.

We commit to addressing all concerns speedily, with fairness and transparency. In the event that there are factual errors or the context within which the report is published changes or new information changes our understanding of the subject which warrants clarification or correction, we will make corrections and highlight the corrections made in the original report with an explanation to readers why the correction was made. Where corrections are made or reports are updated to reflect the new information or correction “CORRECTED” or “UPDATED” will be attached to the headline and a underneath the headline will be an explanation as to which part of the report has been altered and why.

Where the change or clarification makes a significant impact on the conclusion of the report, the change will be effected and reposted as lead story on the fact-check website. Where it is a minor change, the report will not be made the lead story but rather remain in the chronological order within which it was published.

If you as our reader you find any errors that are factual or any published reports with a context that needs correcting, please contact our editor for review and correction.

Telephone: +233 30 255 5327

Email: Info@fact-checkghana.ocm "

To fully meet this requirement, I advise that you include a statement that defines what or why some complaints may receive no response in order to set the expectation for your readers

The correction policy also sets out, in clear words, scenarios where complaints may not justify a response - "if we consider the complaints to be against the IFCN Principles, which our methodology and editorial policies are based on."

Furthermore, Factcheck Ghana explains how major and minor mistakes will be handled.

"Where the change or clarification makes a significant impact on the conclusion of the report, the change will be effected and reposted as lead story on the fact-check website. Where it is a minor change, the report will not be made the lead story but rather remain in the chronological order within which it was published."

There was no request for coreection by any applicant however, Fact-Check Ghana activated this button voluntary after we made an error in an earlier report.
Here is an example of demonstrating when this was used.

https://www.fact-checkghana.com/bawumias-lecture-on-digitisation-these-claims-are-false-misleading/

While that action is applaudable, the problem is Fact-Check did not follow its corrections policy as it relates to the structure of a corrected fact-check. In this example, there is no “CORRECTED” or “UPDATED” label in the headline and underneath the headline explaining which part of the report has been altered and why. Instead, the correction is located at the bottom of the long article as the editor's note.

It's important that readers get what they are promised.

https://www.fact-checkghana.com/bawumias-lecture-on-digitisation-these-claims-are-false-misleading/

https://ifcncodeofprinciples.poynter.org/profile/media-foundation-for-west-africa

There is no statement on Fact-Check Ghana's website that tells users to inform the IFCN if there is a violation of the IFCN Code of Principles. What is applicable is the IFCN badge which when clicked, directs users to IFCN's profile page for Fact-Check Ghana.

This, in my opinion, does not meet the criteria

At the bottom of the Corrections Policy page on Fact-Check Ghana's website, there lies a statement that tells users to inform the IFCN if there is a violation of the IFCN Code of Principles. 

A recommendation would be to highlight the hyperlinked text that directs to the IFCN's website in blue or any other accessible color.

https://www.mfwa.org/contact-us/

There is no corrections policy on the parent media company's website.

The parent company, Media Foundation for West Africa, is not a Fact-checking organization, hence does not have a corrections policy.