Strengthening whistleblowing culture in West Africa: PPLAAF's work in Nigeria, Ghana, and Senegal

“When journalists and civil society actors are equipped with the tools to effectively support whistleblowers, they become real relays in their communities.” – Jimmy Kandé, PPLAAF’s West Africa and Francophone Director

Corruption remains a significant challenge in West Africa. In 2024, the Platform to Protect Whistleblowers in Africa (PPLAAF) launched two ambitious projects in partnership with the Ford Foundation, covering Nigeria, Ghana, and Senegal, and with the Heinrich Böll Foundation, focusing solely on Senegal.

These initiatives raised awareness on the importance of whistleblowing as a catalyst for change in the fight against corruption and illicit financial flows, while protecting the public interest.

Investigative journalists, whistleblowers and civil society: an interdependent relationship

A common theme throughout these sessions was the emphasis on the intrinsic relationship between whistleblowers and investigative journalists. They are mutually dependent: whistleblowers rely on journalists to bring their information to light, while journalists depend on whistleblowers for access to critical sources that drive their investigations. Training civil society actors was equally important, as these organisations play a vital role. By mobilising, civil society can put pressure on governments to enact protective laws for whistleblowers and form a protective “citizens’ shield” around them.

Nigeria: a potential model for the region

Despite a more entrenched whistleblowing culture, Nigeria grapples with endemic corruption that significantly hinders development. PPLAAF has therefore intensified its efforts in this country, following actions in Ghana and Senegal. By strengthening the protection of whistleblowers and positioning Nigeria as a pioneer in whistleblowing in West Africa, Nigeria’s efforts have the potential to inspire other countries in the region to adopt similar reforms to combat corruption.

Training workshops in Abuja and Accra

In partnership with AFRICMIL, the workshop in Abuja brought together high-level participants, including the Head of the Whistleblower Unit of the Ministry of Finance and Budget, demonstrating strong institutional commitment. During the training for journalists, the trainers focused on how to find relevant information and how to use essential resources to conduct thorough investigations. The session dedicated to civil society organisations focused on the concept of whistleblowing, highlighting the importance of distinguishing whistleblowers.

In Accra, the workshop in partnership with WAJSIC featured investigative journalist Anas Aremeyaw Anas, whose work has driven major reforms in Ghana. He opened the session with a discussion on the nature of investigative journalism, addressing the challenges faced in the field. The focus then turned to essential safety measures for investigative journalists. For civil society organisations, the training focused on the role of whistleblowers in combating corruption and money laundering. Jimmy Kandé, PPLAAF’s West Africa Director, presented the law, emphasising the importance of awareness-raising, as it remains poorly understood by some as Ghana is one of the few African countries with a law specifically dedicated to protecting whistleblowers.

Kédougou: a strategic choice

“Whistleblowers in West Africa are essential in our fight against corruption and for transparency and accountability. They must receive holistic support.” – Marie Paule Conaré, West Africa Project Officer

Kédougou, a mineral-rich region in Senegal, faces increased vulnerability to corruption amidst rapid economic expansion. The three-day training, aimed at journalists, trade unionists, and local civil society members, focused on the vital role of whistleblowers in the mining sector. The session opened with a module led by Marie Paule Conaré, Project Officer at PPLAAF’s West Africa office, who emphasised the key role of whistleblowers in combating corruption. She also provided an overview of African whistleblower protection laws, with a particular focus on Senegal.

Following this, Salimatou Diallo from PPLAAF addressed digital security, outlining the current challenges and offering solutions for mitigating online risks. The discussions were enriched by testimonies from whistleblowers such as Jean-Jacques Lumumba and Amadou Traoré, who highlighted the personal risks they faced.

The workshop concluded with a public conference that brought together key stakeholders from the local mining sector to discuss the challenges of transparency and accountability in the region’s extractive industry. Participants underscored the need for stronger collaboration between whistleblowers, the media, trade unions, and civil society to promote responsible governance.

PPLAAF is a non-governmental organisation established in 2017 to protect whistleblowers, as well as to advocate and engage in strategic litigation on their behalf when their revelations deal with the general interests of African citizens.