The Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) has launched a collaborative initiative with media outlets across the region to enhance its image and counter disinformation about its contributions to the socioeconomic development of West Africa. The partnership was unveiled during an inaugural session in Abuja, Nigeria, which brought together government-owned media from ECOWAS member states.
Speaking at the event, Hon. Abdou Kolley, Chief of Staff in the Office of the President of the ECOWAS Commission, emphasized the importance of accurate reporting on ECOWAS activities. He noted that the collaboration aims to tackle the growing challenge of disinformation, particularly on social media, which often undermines the organization’s achievements.
Themed “Strategic Engagement with Public Media Actors in Our Member States,” the event was organized in partnership with the Media Foundation for West Africa (MFWA). It is part of a broader strategy to strengthen media collaboration ahead of ECOWAS’s 50th anniversary celebrations. Kolley highlighted that the media plays a crucial role in shaping public opinion and influencing the socio-political landscape, making them essential partners in promoting ECOWAS’s mission of regional integration, peace, and development.
Addressing media leaders from across the region, Kolley underscored the need for media outlets to act as gatekeepers and purveyors of credible information, fostering public trust and regional unity. He pointed out that misinformation often overshadows ECOWAS’s progress in economic integration, peacebuilding, and humanitarian efforts, hence the need for robust media engagement.
The partnership between ECOWAS and MFWA, formalized in December 2023, focuses on enhancing media capacity to promote democratic values, counter disinformation, and foster peace in the region. Kolley urged media partners to work closely with ECOWAS to better inform the public about the organization’s contributions to West Africa’s development.
Kolley concluded by expressing hope that the two-day meeting would lead to improved coordination between ECOWAS and national media partners, ultimately raising awareness of the bloc’s activities and reinforcing democratic values and peace across West Africa.
