The Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS Commission), in collaboration with the Media Foundation for West Africa (MFWA), convened a two-day, high-level strategy meeting at the ECOWAS Commission Headquarters in Abuja, Nigeria. The meeting, held from September 3 to 4, 2024, brought together media experts, civil society representatives, and policymakers from across the region to deliberate on the vital role of media in promoting peace, stability, and democratic governance in West Africa.
Organized by the Communication Directorate of the ECOWAS Commission, the meeting aimed to address critical issues such as misinformation, disinformation, media freedom, and the need for enhanced media capacity to positively promote democratic processes and governance in West Africa.
During the two-day strategic meeting, participants comprising the Commission’s representatives, media and strategic communication experts and civil society organizations made presentations and engaged in group discussions designed to develop actionable strategies to strengthen the media’s role in achieving the ECOWAS Vision 2050. This vision envisions a fully integrated and prosperous region characterized by peace, democracy, and respect for human rights.
In his keynote address, Director of Cabinet at the Office of the President of the ECOWAS Commission Mr. Abdou Kolley underscored the importance of a free and responsible media in fostering democratic consolidation and ensuring peace and stability across the region.
“We must address the growing challenges of misinformation and disinformation which threaten to undermine our collective progress. This meeting is a crucial step in strengthening the media’s ability to support democratic governance and regional stability,” Mr. Kolley noted.
Acting Principal Programme Officer for Relations with Member States at the Directorate of External Relations Dr. Babatunde Idowu provided a comprehensive overview of ECOWAS's structure and its role in promoting regional integration and development. He highlighted the importance of strategic planning in achieving objectives outlined in ECOWAS Vision 2050 and emphasized a coordinated approach to enhancing media’s contribution to these goals.
Head of Communication and Information Division at ECOWAS Mr. Joël Ahofodji welcomed participants and outlined this meeting's strategic importance in enhancing visibility for ECOWAS activities. He emphasized effective communication's vital role in building a robust media environment that can promote ECOWAS’s goals while counteracting disinformation.
“Our partnership with the Media Foundation for West Africa is essential in building a media landscape that not only informs but also empowers our citizens to engage constructively in democratic processes,” he noted.
Executive Director of MFWA Mr. Sulemana Braimah elaborated on their Memorandum of Understanding with ECOWAS, underscoring their shared commitment to promoting democratic values through media initiatives.
“This Memorandum of Understanding represents a strong commitment to reinforcing media freedom and democratic governance in our region especially at a time when disinformation poses significant risks,” Mr. Braimah remarked.
Director of Humanitarian and Social Affairs at ECOWAS Dr. Sintiki Tarfa Ugbe discussed ongoing interventions supporting member states during crises. She stressed media's critical role in raising awareness about these efforts while noting its importance in promoting sustainable development initiatives within the sub-region.
The strategy meeting provided simultaneous interpretation services in English and French aiming to offer a platform for collective brainstorming and action planning. Participants are expected to devise innovative strategies on enhancing media's role against disinformation while fostering sustainable peace within West Africa by its conclusion.
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