‘Every village has a story’: the Ghanaian journalist walking thousands of miles to give voice to farmers and forgotten communities

By Aminu Adamu

“I don’t just report stories—I walk with them, live among them, and carry their voices to places they may never reach.” – Mahmud Mohammed-Nurudeen (Engr Winna’amzua)

In a world where journalism increasingly favours clicks over communities, Mahmud Mohammed-Nurudeen—better known as Engr Winna’amzua—has chosen a different path. It is not paved with studio lights, TV panels, or press conferences in air-conditioned rooms. Instead, his journey winds through the red earth trails of Ghana’s remotest villages, across rivers by canoe, into makeshift classrooms, and under mango trees where farmers sit in circles, seeking answers.

Since 2013, the Ghanaian journalist has travelled to more than 1,520 towns, villages, and communities across all 16 regions of Ghana, reporting stories, training farmers, and giving voice to people whose realities rarely make the front pages.

“Every community has wisdom. Every person has a story,” he says. “My job is to listen—and to amplify those voices.”

Journalism rooted in community

In a country of over 31 million people and deeply diverse cultures, few journalists have engaged as directly and consistently with local populations as Engr Winna’amzua. From the overburdened urban sprawl of Accra to the underdeveloped hamlets of the Upper West Region, his storytelling is defined not by spectacle, but by intimacy.

He has worked in Bibiani, Juaboso, Enchi, Asankragwa, and Sefwi Wiawso in the Western North Region; Atebubu, Yeji, Zabarma, Kwame Danso, and Prang in Bono East; and crossed waters to the island communities of Kete Krachi and Zongo Macheri in Oti.

“I don’t just visit. I stay. I eat with them, listen to them. Only then do the real stories come out,” he explains.

His work covers intersecting themes of climate change, agriculture, food systems, healthcare, and rural underdevelopment. These are not just beats—they are lived realities for the people he meets, and Engr Winna’amzua sees his role as a bridge between local communities and national conversations.

The journalist who became a teacher

But Engr Winna’amzua doesn’t just report—he teaches. At every stop, he offers training sessions to farmers on practical skills: how to read weather forecasts, how to use agro-ecological knowledge, how to respond to pest infestations, and how to mitigate the impacts of a changing climate. His sessions are delivered in collaboration with local authorities, sometimes in regional dialects, often in challenging conditions.

“Sometimes, we don’t have electricity. Other times, the village has no water. But the farmers come. They are eager to learn. That’s all the motivation I need.”

His work is largely self-funded. While international organisations have occasionally supported his trips abroad, in Ghana he pays his own way—covering transportation, lodging, and materials.

“I spend more than half of my income on this work. But impact cannot wait for funding,” he says matter-of-factly. “If one farmer can avoid crop failure because of something I taught, it’s worth it.”

A lifelong learner

Born and raised in Ghana, Engr Winna’amzua received both Arabic and English education, building a strong foundation in religious, linguistic, and civic studies. He later trained as a journalist, but his commitment to continuous education has defined his career.

To date, he has completed more than 100 training programmes, both online and in person, covering topics such as conflict-sensitive reporting, peace journalism, sustainable agriculture, global health, science communication, and emerging technologies.

He reads at least 12 books every year, takes notes religiously, and regularly conducts his own research to inform his reporting and training.

“The world is changing faster than ever. If I don’t keep learning, I’ll be doing a disservice to the people who rely on me for accurate, actionable information.”

This deep reservoir of knowledge has earned him recognition. He’s reported for global media outlets, produced documentaries for development agencies, and received journalism fellowships and story grants in Ghana and abroad. Still, he remains grounded.

“Awards are not the goal,” he says. “They’re reminders that someone, somewhere, believes in your work.”

Mistakes, setbacks, and transformation

Engr Winna’amzua is refreshingly open about the missteps that shaped him. In the early years, he admits to being overly ambitious—taking on too many stories at once, travelling without local guidance, and underestimating the power of language.

“Once, I delivered a training in a community where no one spoke the language I was using. I hadn’t thought to bring a translator. I failed them that day,” he says, eyes lowered.

He also learned—sometimes painfully—that technical knowledge alone wasn’t enough.

“I used to focus heavily on science. But then I realised people live within culture, not theory. If I didn’t understand their worldview, I couldn’t help them.”

These lessons shifted how he works. Today, he begins every assignment by consulting local leaders, learning the customs, and hiring interpreters.

“It’s about respect. You don’t extract stories—you build trust. Only then do people open up.”

Documenting invisible lives—and changing them

Since 2013, Engr Winna’amzua has published or produced more than 4,440 stories, many of which have driven tangible change. His reporting has led to policy discussions, donor attention, community projects, and farmer-led initiatives in rural Ghana.

He’s reported for global media outlets, produced documentaries for development agencies, and received awards, journalism fellowships and story grants in Ghana and abroad. Still, he remains grounded.

He teaches farmers how to use media tools—photos, audio messages, short videos—to communicate their needs directly to policymakers, journalists, and NGOs.

“Farmers are not just recipients of aid. They are knowledge holders. My job is to elevate their voices to the national stage.”

Across the country, he is known not just as a reporter, but as a facilitator and trainer in areas ranging from agriculture and climate science to technology, health systems, and rural development. His interventions have helped communities improve food security, adapt to unpredictable weather patterns, and gain the confidence to advocate for themselves.

“I’ve watched farmers go from shy, isolated individuals to proud community advocates. That transformation—it’s powerful.”

A legacy in the making

Today, Engr Winna’amzua is more than just a journalist. He is a symbol of what journalism can be: empathetic, grounded, and committed to the public good. His humility is matched by a quiet determination.

“I’m still learning. I make mistakes. But I always remind myself: this work is not about me. It’s about service.”

Now, he’s preparing to publish a book—a memoir that traces his path from a modest childhood through betrayal, failure, resilience, and eventual recognition.

“People see the surface and think it was smooth. But I’ve faced rejection, blackmail, disappointment. I kept going because the mission is bigger than the obstacles.”

The forthcoming book, now in final revision, captures not just the facts of his journey, but the emotional and spiritual dimensions too. It is, in his words, “a reminder that no matter your background, you can live with purpose and make impact.”

“It’s not just my story,” he adds. “It’s a story for anyone who’s been told they can’t—and needs a reason to keep going.”