Jury Members of the First Edition of the ECOWAS Award for Journalistic Excellence Meet in Abuja for their Deliberations

The Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) is hosting, from 9 to 12 April 2025, in Abuja, Nigeria, the coordination meeting of the jury members for the deliberations of the first edition of the ECOWAS Media Excellence Award. This initiative, led by the ECOWAS Directorate of Communication, is part of the celebrations marking the Organisation’s golden jubilee and aims to promote journalistic excellence as a pillar of peace, democracy, and regional integration.

The meeting will bring together a jury composed of renowned media professionals from across the ECOWAS region. These experts will evaluate more than 200 entries received in response to the official call launched earlier this year, with submissions in English, French, and Portuguese — the three official languages of ECOWAS. This broad participation reflects the depth and diversity of media engagement in West Africa.

The ECOWAS Media Excellence Award is designed to recognise journalists whose work contributes significantly to public dialogue, good governance, human rights, peacebuilding, and sustainable development. By establishing this award, ECOWAS affirms its commitment to supporting a free, independent, and ethical media sector that strengthens the democratic values of the region.

The jury will be chaired by Mr Abdoulie Gassama, former Deputy Director General of the Gambia Radio and Television Services (GRTS) and currently a lecturer at the University of The Gambia. The selection process will be merit-based, impartial, and regionally balanced, with a focus on quality, ethics, innovation, and regional relevance.

The meeting will be held at the Stratton Hotel in Asokoro, Abuja, under the coordination of the ECOWAS Directorate of Communication. The process will be conducted in the three official languages of ECOWAS — English, French, and Portuguese — to ensure full regional representation and participation.

This coordination meeting of the jury represents a significant step in ECOWAS’ long-term vision to strengthen collaboration with the media and to empower journalists as key actors in regional development.