GhanaWeb Reporter project set to receive share of $1.93m Google funding

Ghana’s first, most popular and authoritative news portal, GhanaWeb, is set to receive a share of Google's $1.93m funding for its GhanaWeb Reporter project which will inject new ideas into the global news ecosystem.

According to Google, “this funding will enable our partners to develop sustainable business models by diversifying revenue streams and/or increasing audience engagement."

The GhanaWeb Reporter project is among 21 projects selected in 13 countries across the Middle East, Turkey and Africa region. Eight of the projects are from African countries including Côte d’Ivoire, Kenya, Nigeria, Rwanda, South Africa and Morocco. GhanaWeb is the only company from Ghana to receive the highly coveted award.

GhanaWeb’s Editor, Ismail Akwei, explained the GhanaWeb Reporter is an app for both Android and iOS devices that will enable GhanaWeb’s four million monthly unique visitors to (re)publish their user-generated content (UGC) directly on www.ghanaweb.com.

“The content will be screened and published on a personal or topic page on the website or as a news or opinion article when it meets the required editorial guidelines. This novelty will amplify the voices of Ghanaians on the issues that matter to them,” he added.

GhanaWeb in February 2020, won the first Google News Initiative GNI Innovation Challenges to help journalism thrive in the digital age and to see news innovators step forward with new thinking.

The GNI Innovation Challenges are part of Google’s $300 million commitment. In all, there were 108 recipients of the GNI Innovation Challenges in Asia-Pacific, Latin America, Middle East, Turkey & Africa and North America representing 39 countries across the selected regions.

Read the full statement below