By Lamin B. Darboe
A two-day high-level strategy meeting of heads of government-owned broadcast stations from ECOWAS member states recently ended in the Nigerian capital of Abuja. The meeting was organised by ECOWAS in partnership with the Media Foundation for West Africa (MFWA).
It focused 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 sub-region.
Speaking on the ocassion, Director of Cabinet of the President of the ECOWAS Commission, Mr. Abdou Kolley, affirmed ECOWAS Commission’s recognition of the media as one of its indispensable and critical stakeholders.
He informed that the meeting was part of their ongoing efforts to proactively broaden their engagement and strengthen collaboration with the media towards achieving their common and shared vision as encapsulated by our Vision 2050.
He stressed the significant role of the media in supporting democratic process, fostering regional stability, and promoting ECOWAS’s vision of a peaceful and prosperous West African sub-region.
Mr. Kolley noted that despite the prevailing and inherent global continental and regional challenges, the Commission has continued to make remarkable progress in the key strategic objectives of the institution’s management, relating to regional peace, security and governance, regional economic integration and inclusive and sustainable development.
In his opening remarks, the Head of Communication and Information Directorate, ECOWAS Commission, Mr. Joël Ahofodji, emphasised 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.
Participants at the high-level meeting highlighted the key challenges facing media cooperation within ECOWAS member states, as well as opportunities and the way forward regarding fostering a mutually beneficial partnership with the Commission.
In his presentation, the Acting Principal Programme Officer, Directorate of External Relations, Dr. Babatunde Idowu underscored the role of the media in communicating ECOWAS’ achievements in regional integration, peace building and other impactful initiatives and interventions.
“Our progress in regional integration and peace building is a collective achievement that needs to be effectively communicated to our citizens through the media,” he emphasised.
Speaking on the strategic role of national broadcasters in promoting peace building and regional integration, Professor of Media and Journalism and former Director General of Ghana Broadcasting Corporation, Prof. Kwame Kari Kari, pointed out that national broadcasters must go beyond delivering news.
“Broadcasting is about shaping societies—informing, educating, and inspiring the public toward a shared vision of peace and development,” Prof. Karikari stated.
Former Director of Gambian National Television and Communication Consultant to ECOWAS, Mr. Abdullai Gassama, discussed strategies for enhancing ECOWAS’ visibility through strategic media engagement.
During the interactive sessions of the meeting, ECOWAS and participants emphasised the need for stronger partnerships between national broadcasters and the ECOWAS Communication Directorate, particularly through the establishment of dedicated ECOWAS desks within major newsrooms.
They noted that the dedicated desk on ECOWAS would facilitate regular and accurate reporting of the Commission’s activities thereby promoting greater public understanding of the Commission’s role in regional integration, peace, and development.
The meeting also emphasised the importance of capacity building for media professionals across the region, as well as the ECOWAS Commission’s commitment to supporting capacity building for journalists to ensure accurate reporting, combat misinformation, and enhance understanding of ECOWAS initiatives.
After the 2-day meeting, the CEOs of the public media of ECOWAS member states pledged to support the fight against misinformation in West Africa, and to help ECOWAS raise its profile as part of the celebrations marking the sub-regional institution’s 50th anniversary, and to achieve the objectives of its Vision 2050 of a people’s ECOWAS: Peace and Prosperity for all.
