ECOWAS, media leaders unite to tackle misinformation, propel West African integration

The Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) Commission, in collaboration with the Media Foundation for West Africa (MFWA), initiated a pivotal two-day strategy meeting.

Held from September 5-6, 2024, at the ECOWAS Headquarters in Abuja, Nigeria, the high-level gathering brought together heads of government-owned broadcast stations from ECOWAS member states.

The primary focus was to improve information dissemination, address misinformation, and bolster regional integration across the West African subregion.

Opening the event, Mr. Joël AHOFODJI, Head of Communication and Information Directorate at the ECOWAS Commission, underscored the critical importance of media collaboration in fostering a unified community.

“Effective communication is crucial to our mission of fostering a cohesive community. We depend on our media partners to accurately convey ECOWAS’s goals, initiatives, and achievements,” he asserted, highlighting the media’s integral role in building an informed and cohesive Community.

Delivering a compelling keynote address, Mr. Abdou KOLLEY, Director of Cabinet of the President of the ECOWAS Commission, highlighted the media’s pivotal role in supporting democratic processes and promoting regional stability.

“The ECOWAS Commission recognizes the media as one of our indispensable and critical stakeholders. This explains why the Commission has convened this important stakeholders’ meeting with the Heads of government-owned broadcast stations as part of our ongoing efforts to proactively broaden our engagement and strengthen our collaboration with the media towards achieving our common and shared vision as encapsulated by our vision 2050,” KOLLEY emphasized.

Despite global, continental, and regional challenges, KOLLEY noted that the Commission has made remarkable strides in its strategic objectives related to regional peace, security, governance, economic integration, and sustainable development.

Participants delved into the challenges and opportunities for media cooperation, aiming to foster a mutually beneficial partnership with the Commission. Dr. Babatunde IDOWU, Acting Principal Programme Officer, Relations with Member States, Directorate of External Relations, reiterated the media’s role in communicating ECOWAS’ achievements in regional integration and peacebuilding.

“Our progress in regional integration and peacebuilding is a collective achievement that needs to be effectively communicated to our citizens through the media,” he emphasized.

Prof. Kwame Karikari, Professor of Media and Journalism and former Director General of Ghana Broadcasting Corporation, advocated for a transformative role of national broadcasters. “Broadcasting is about shaping societies—informing, educating, and inspiring the public toward a shared vision of peace and development,” he stated, urging broadcasters to transcend traditional news delivery.

Mr. Abdullai GASSAMA, former Director of Gambian National Television and Communication Consultant to ECOWAS, proposed strategies for enhancing ECOWAS’s visibility through strategic media engagement.

“We must leverage every available platform to tell our stories, showcase our achievements, and engage our communities. ECOWAS’s vision needs to be at the forefront of public discourse,” he added.

Interactive sessions emphasized the need for stronger partnerships between national broadcasters and the ECOWAS Communication Directorate, suggesting the establishment of dedicated ECOWAS desks within major newsrooms. Such initiatives would facilitate regular and accurate reporting of the Commission’s activities, thereby promoting greater public understanding of its role in regional integration, peace, and development.

The meeting also highlighted the importance of capacity building for media professionals across the region, with the ECOWAS Commission committed to supporting journalists in accurate reporting, combating misinformation, and enhancing understanding of its initiatives.

Concluding with an open discussion, the session fostered a collaborative environment for sharing strategies to strengthen the partnership between ECOWAS and state-owned media. As the meeting progresses into its second day, the focus remains on building a robust media network that aligns with the organization’s vision of a peaceful, integrated, and prosperous West Africa.