Solomon Joojo Cobbinah
Solomon Joojo Cobbinah | |
|---|---|
| Born | Solomon Joojo Cobbinah |
| Other names | Joojo Cobbinah |
| Citizenship | Ghana |
| Education | Ghana Institute of Journalism |
| Occupation | Journalist |
| Years active | 2018 - present |
Solomon Joojo Cobbinah (commonly known as Joojo Cobbinah) is a Ghanaian investigative journalist and human rights advocate. He is currently an Associate Editor at The Fourth Estate, a nonprofit, public interest, and accountability investigative journalism project of the Media Foundation for West Africa.[1]
Education
Cobbinah attended Accra Academy for his senior high school education before attending the Ghana Institute of Journalism where he obtained a Bachelor of Arts in communications in 2008. He later pursued postgraduate studies at the University of Pretoria in South Africa, earning an Master of Philosophy in Human Rights and Democratisation in Africa through the Centre for Human Rights.[2]
Career
Cobbinah began his journalism career with TV3 Ghana, where he reported mainly on health and social issues. He later joined the Joy News as a features editor, producer, and investigative reporter.[3] His work has highlighted challenges faced by vulnerable communities, including forced evictions, child rights, and access to healthcare. He later joined the EIB Network, which included GHOne TV, Starr FM and Kasapa FM, as the Group Managing News Editor.[4]
In addition to newsroom reporting, Cobbinah has collaborated with human rights organisations and international advocacy groups, producing reports and engaging in strategic litigation. He is currently an Associate Editor at the The Fourth Estate, an investigative journalism project in Ghana.
Litigation and Advocacy
Arrests and Press-Freedom Incidents
Cobbinah and colleagues were at times arrested or charged while covering forced evictions in Accra. In one instance, he and other reporters were charged with “offensive conduct” following demolition coverage, a move criticised by civil society and press freedom advocates. Later court rulings described the actions of some public officials as unlawful interference with journalists’ rights.[5]
Constitutional and Human-Rights Cases
- Accra Metropolitan Assembly case — Cobbinah was a named applicant in a constitutional and human rights suit against the Accra Metropolitan Assembly (AMA) following demolitions linked to his reporting.[6][7]
- River Offin cases — Working with the Institute for Human Rights and Development in Africa (IHRDA), Cobbinah filed communications on behalf of schoolgirls in Ashanti Region communities along the River Offin, alleging state violations of the African Charter on the Rights and Welfare of the Child.[8]
Awards and nominations
| Year | Award | Result | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Vera Chiwa Award | 2018 | Impactful and Courageous Journalism[2] | Won |
| Article 19 Press Prize | 2019 | Overall winner - As If We Weren't Humans[9] | Won |
| Ghana Journalism Awards | 2022 | Documentary - Searching for Witch Hunters[10] | Won |
References
- ^ Owusu-Mensah, Jeffrey (7 February 2024). "Joojo Cobbinah Leaves Multimedia, Returns To EIB As Managing News Editor - YEN.COM.GH". yen.com.gh. Retrieved 3 September 2025.
- ^ a b Pienaar, Lourika (18 December 2018). "Joojo Cobbinah receives Vera Chirwa Award for his impactful and courageous journalism". Centre for Human Rights. Retrieved 3 September 2025.
- ^ "2 JoyNews journalists shortlisted for WAMECA 2020 - MyJoyOnline". Retrieved 3 September 2025.
- ^ "Former Features Editor at Joy News Francis Joojo Cobbinah joins EIB Network - Kasapa102.5FM". 5 February 2024. Retrieved 3 September 2025.
- ^ "Mahama Must Sack Accra Mayor; Kweku Baako declares". Modern Ghana. Retrieved 3 September 2025.
- ^ "Multimedia-AMA saga: Lawyer calls for counter civil suit against Vanderpuije, IGP and AG". Modern Ghana. Retrieved 3 September 2025.
- ^ "Multimedia driver arrested on orders of Accra Mayor says he is traumatized - MyJoyOnline". Retrieved 3 September 2025.
- ^ "Joy News' Joojo Cobbinah, NGO sue government over River Offin menstruation taboo - MyJoyOnline". Retrieved 3 September 2025.
- ^ Boakye, Edna Agnes (6 March 2021). "Winners of maiden edition of Article 19 Press Prize announced". Citinewsroom - Comprehensive News in Ghana. Retrieved 3 September 2025.
- ^ "The Multimedia Group grabs 7 awards at 2021 GJA Awards - MyJoyOnline". Retrieved 3 September 2025.