The Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) Commission, in partnership with the Media Foundation for West Africa (MFWA), has commenced a two-day high-level strategy meeting with heads of government-owned broadcast stations from ECOWAS member states. The meeting, held on September 5-6, 2024, at the ECOWAS Headquarters in Abuja, Nigeria, focuses on enhancing media cooperation between the Commission and member states’ owned broadcast stations to improve information dissemination, combat misinformation, and promote regional integration across the West African subregion.
In his opening remarks, the Head of Communication and Information Directorate at the ECOWAS Commission, Mr. Joël Ahofodji, emphasized the pivotal role of media collaboration in building an informed and cohesive 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,” Mr. Ahofodji stated.
Delivering the keynote address, Director of Cabinet of the President of the ECOWAS Commission, Mr. Abdou Kolley stressed the significant role of the media in supporting democratic processes, fostering regional stability, and promoting ECOWAS’s vision of a peaceful and prosperous West African sub-region.
“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 said.
He noted that despite prevailing global, continental and regional challenges, the Commission has continued to make remarkable progress in key strategic objectives relating to regional peace, security and governance; regional economic integration; and inclusive sustainable development.
Participants at the high-level meeting highlighted key challenges facing media cooperation within ECOWAS member states as well as opportunities for fostering a mutually beneficial partnership with the Commission.
In his presentation, Acting Principal Programme Officer for Relations with Member States at Directorate of External Relations Dr. Babatunde Idowu underscored the role of media in communicating ECOWAS’ achievements in regional integration, peacebuilding and other impactful initiatives.
“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.
Speaking on national broadcasters' strategic role in promoting peacebuilding and regional integration Professor Kwame Karikari pointed out that national broadcasters must go beyond delivering news.
“Broadcasting is about shaping societies—informing educating inspiring public toward shared vision peace development,” Prof. Karikari stated.
Former Director Gambian National Television Communication Consultant ECOWAS Mr. Abdullai Gassama discussed strategies enhancing visibility through strategic engagement
“We must leverage every available platform tell stories showcase achievements engage communities vision forefront public discourse” Gassama added
During interactive sessions participants emphasized need stronger partnerships between national broadcasters Communication Directorate particularly establishment dedicated desks within major newsrooms They noted dedicated desk facilitate regular accurate reporting activities thereby promoting greater public understanding role integration peace development
The meeting also emphasized importance capacity building professionals region commitment supporting journalists ensure accurate reporting combat misinformation enhance understanding initiatives
The session concluded open discussion among participants fostering collaborative environment share strategies strengthening partnership state-owned As progresses second day focus remains building strong network supports organization’s vision peaceful integrated prosperous West Africa
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