CDD Partners ECOWAS to Counter Misinformation and Disinformation in West Africa
By Raymond Enoch
In a bid to combat the growing threats of misinformation and disinformation undermining democratic governance in West Africa, the Centre for Democracy and Development (CDD West Africa) partnered with the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) Commission to host a one-day Regional Stakeholders’ Engagement on Countering Disinformation.
The high-level event, held in Lagos, Nigeria, brought together key stakeholders committed to strengthening democratic institutions and promoting information integrity in the region.
The workshop sought to harness shared insights from experts and policymakers to reinforce ongoing efforts to curb the spread of false information, noting that Misinformation and disinformation have increasingly become tools for political manipulation, social unrest, and electoral disruptions. This therefore prompted urgent action from regional and international bodies according to the workshop objectives.
The engagement featured notable figures, including Mr. Ebenezer Asiedu, Head of Democracy and Good Governance at the ECOWAS Commission, representing Ambassador Abdel-Fatau Musah, Commissioner for Political Affairs, Peace, and Security. Also in attendance was Dr. Onyinye Onwuka, Acting Director of the ECOWAS Early Warning Directorate, along with key staff from the ECOWAS Communication Directorate. Representatives from CDD West Africa, the National Democratic Institute for International Affairs, and other governance and media experts contributed their expertise to the discussions.
Eminent scholars such as Professor Adiele Jinadu and Professor Jubrin Ibrahim provided critical insights into the impact of misinformation on democratic processes. Their presentations underscored the need for multi-stakeholder collaboration to mitigate the dangers of fake news, propaganda, and manipulated digital content.
During the deliberations, participants stressed the critical role of ECOWAS in leading coordinated efforts to establish policies that combat the spread of false narratives. The ECOWAS Early Warning Directorate highlighted how real-time monitoring and rapid response mechanisms could prevent disinformation from influencing public perception, particularly during electoral periods and political transitions.
Mr. Asiedu reaffirmed ECOWAS’s commitment to fostering accurate information dissemination by working closely with media organizations, civil society, and fact-checking institutions. “Disinformation is a direct threat to democratic stability, and ECOWAS is committed to reinforcing structures that protect truth and transparency,” he stated.
One of the key resolutions from the engagement was the urgent need to promote media literacy programs across the region. Experts emphasized that a well-informed public is the first line of defense against false information. The workshop recommended greater investment in digital literacy campaigns, the establishment of fact-checking networks, and stronger regulatory measures to hold perpetrators of disinformation accountable.
Furthermore, stakeholders called for improved collaboration between regional governments, social media platforms, and independent media bodies to create robust fact-checking mechanisms. “Governments alone cannot tackle misinformation; we need an alliance of credible voices to safeguard the integrity of information,” said Professor Ibrahim.
The Lagos engagement concluded with a strong commitment from ECOWAS and its partners to intensify efforts in countering disinformation while ensuring that such measures do not infringe on press freedom and free speech. As West Africa prepares for upcoming elections in several countries, the proactive stance of CDD West Africa and ECOWAS is expected to play a crucial role in ensuring credible and transparent democratic processes.
The workshop served as a call to action for all stakeholders—governments, civil society, and media organizations—to unite in the fight against the growing menace of misinformation and disinformation in the region.
