ECOWAS TRAINS JOURNALISTS IN CABO VERDE ON INFORMATION INTEGRITY AND COUNTERING DISINFORMATION IN WEST AFRICA

The Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) Commission, through its Directorate of Communication, is convening a two-day regional training programme for journalists and media practitioners in Cabo Verde, as part of the Organisation’s sustained efforts to strengthen information integrity and counter disinformation, misinformation and harmful narratives in West Africa.

Organised by the ECOWAS Commission in collaboration with the Media Foundation for West Africa (MFWA) and with the support of the Government of the Federal Republic of Germany, through the Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ), the training, which takes place over two days, aims to enhance participants’ capacities in media and information literacy, fact-checking, responsible use of digital tools, and ethical journalism, while contributing to the promotion of democracy, peace, security and good governance in the region.

In her opening remarks, delivered on behalf of the ECOWAS Commission, Mrs. Kelly Lopes, ECOWAS Resident Representative in Cabo Verde, underscored the strategic importance of the media as a pillar of democratic governance and social cohesion, stressing that information integrity is essential to sustaining public trust and regional stability.

Earlier, the Acting Director of Communication at the ECOWAS Commission, Mr. Joel AHOFODJI, highlighted that the training seeks to strengthen journalists’ ability to deliver responsible, investigative and fact-based reporting, capable of countering disinformation and supporting peace and democratic values in West Africa.

In her remarks, the Coordinator, ECOWAS National Office in Cabo Verde , Ms. Isa Morais,  emphasized the pivotal role of journalists as key stakeholders in   promoting  balanced ,  ethical and responsible information ecosystem, both at national and regional levels, in line with the principles and objectives of ECOWAS.

Also addressing participants, representative of the Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ), Mr. Seco Baldé and the Media Foundation for West Africa, represented by Dr. Kojo Impraim, reaffirmed their commitment to supporting ECOWAS in building a resilient, professional and ethical media ecosystem, aligned with the Organisation’s Vision 2050, which aspires to a peaceful, integrated and prosperous West Africa.

Through this initiative, ECOWAS seeks to institutionalise information integrity as a strategic pillar of democratic governance and regional stability, by equipping journalists with the skills, ethical standards and digital tools required to effectively counter information disorder. The training reflects the Organisation’s broader commitment to strengthening professional and resilient media systems, fostering informed public discourse, and supporting peace, social cohesion and regional integration, in full alignment with ECOWAS Vision 2050.