Lazarus Training recently delivered a series of Field Integrity and Resilience for Media (FIRM) courses in Ghana, supporting journalists, whistleblowers, and civil society actors working in complex and high-risk environments. Delivered in partnership with the Whistleblowers and Journalists Safety International Centre (WAJSIC), the programme brought together participants from across Ghana and the wider West African region, including journalists operating in Burkina Faso, Niger, Mali, Liberia, and Guinea.
Responding to a Real Operational Need
Across West Africa, journalists increasingly operate in environments characterised by:
- political instability
- organised crime
- conflict and insurgency
- targeted harassment and surveillance
These conditions demand more than theoretical knowledge—they require practical, field-ready skills.
The four-day training programme was designed specifically to address this need, equipping participants to protect themselves and respond effectively in high-risk situations.
A Practical, Scenario-Based Approach
The course combined classroom learning with intensive practical exercises, reflecting Lazarus Training’s core philosophy:
Training must reflect what participants will actually face in the field.
Participants received instruction across key areas of personal safety and trauma response, including:
- catastrophic bleeding control
- airway and casualty management
- trauma response under pressure
- risk assessment and pre-deployment planning
- communication and digital security
- surveillance awareness and personal protection
The programme incorporated hands-on simulations and role-play scenarios, allowing participants to practise skills in realistic conditions.
Building Confidence and Capability
Feedback from participants consistently highlighted the practical value of the training, with many describing it as:
- “timely”
- “empowering”
- directly relevant to their work
The emphasis on real-world application ensured that participants left with both the knowledge and confidence to operate more safely in challenging environments.
A Collaborative Effort
The training was delivered with support from international partners, including the Open Society Foundations and the Embassy of the Netherlands in Ghana, demonstrating a shared commitment to improving journalist safety and resilience.
WAJSIC, which provides protection and support for journalists and whistleblowers across Africa, played a key role in identifying participants and ensuring the training reached those most at risk.
Looking Ahead
The success of the Ghana courses highlights the growing demand for practical safety training for media professionals operating in complex environments.Participants and organisers alike have called for the programme to be expanded, recognising its potential to strengthen media resilience, safety, and freedom of expression across the region.
About Lazarus Training
Lazarus Training is a UK-based provider of safety, first aid, and hostile environment training, delivering courses internationally to journalists, NGOs, and law enforcement personnel.
Our programmes focus on real-world application, ensuring participants can operate safely and effectively in challenging environments.
Further reading
https://gna.org.gh/2026/04/wajsic-residents-hail-hands-on-safety-training
Sacha Cooper