The Media Foundation for West Africa (MFWA), in partnership with the ECOWAS Commission and GIZ, has launched a series of training workshops aimed at strengthening the integrity and quality of information in the region.
The program, which spans seven countries-The Gambia, Sierra Leone, Ghana, Togo, Benin, Cape Verde, and Senegal-began on September 22 in The Gambia and will bring together a total of 315 journalists from public and private media outlets, covering print, broadcast, and digital media.
These intensive two-day workshops provide participants with practical and advanced tools for fact-checking, leveraging open-source intelligence (OSINT), using artificial intelligence to detect disinformation, and strengthening digital security. Journalists also develop their skills in sensitive areas such as peace journalism, conflict reporting, media literacy, and human rights education.
The goal is to better equip media professionals to counter disinformation, promote ethical and responsible journalism, and foster high-quality public debate. The workshops also provide a space for sharing experiences and best practices to support peace, democracy, and inclusive development in the sub-region.
This initiative is part of the Memorandum of Understanding signed in December 2023 between ECOWAS and the MFWA, aimed at strengthening cooperation on democracy, press freedom, and human rights. It builds on the success of previous training sessions in Nigeria and Côte d’Ivoire, as well as on exchanges with experts and public media representatives in Abuja in 2024.
“West Africa is facing a rapid spread of disinformation and anti-democratic rhetoric. Training journalists is essential to ensure the quality and reliability of information,” explained Kojo Impraim, Director of the Media for Peace and Social Cohesion Program at the MFWA.
By equipping journalists with the necessary tools and skills, this series of trainings aims to strengthen a resilient media landscape capable of promoting transparency, accountability and democratic values in West Africa.
