ECOWAS Trains Ghanaian Journalists on Integrity of Information, Fake News and Disinformation.
By Raymond Enoch
The Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) has continued to strengthen democratic resilience and regional stability through responsible journalism.West Africa has witnessed a surge in misinformation and disinformation, often fueling political unrest and undermining public trust. Recognizing the media’s powerful influence, ECOWAS invested in capacity-building for journalists to ensure accurate, ethical, and conflict-sensitive reporting.
In a decisive push to uphold democratic values and combat the surge of disinformation in West Africa, the ECOWAS Commission has launched an intensive two-day training for journalists and media practitioners in Ghana. The initiative, taking place from 29 to 30 September 2025, is geared towards strengthening information integrity, enhancing media and information literacy, and curbing the proliferation of fake news, misinformation, and anti-democratic narratives across the region.
The training is spearheaded by the ECOWAS Directorate of Communication in partnership with the Media Foundation for West Africa (MFWA), and backed by the Government of Germany. Participants are being equipped with critical tools and knowledge in conflict-sensitive reporting, identifying malign information actors, and promoting democratic norms, peace, and good governance.
Speaking at the opening of the workshop on behalf of ECOWAS President H.E. Dr. Omar Alieu Touray, the ECOWAS Resident Representative in Ghana, H.E. Ambassador Mohammed Lawan Gana, emphasized the pivotal role of the media in reinforcing ECOWAS’ Vision 2050 agenda. He noted that journalists are indispensable in fostering regional integration and building resilient democratic institutions through accurate and responsible reporting.
The training reflects ECOWAS’ growing commitment to safeguarding the region’s information ecosystem from destabilizing influences, particularly in an era where digital platforms can amplify falsehoods with alarming speed. As the region grapples with political instability and misinformation-driven unrest in some member states, this initiative represents a timely intervention to empower the press as a frontline defense against the erosion of public trust and democratic values.
By directly engaging media professionals on the front lines of public discourse, ECOWAS aims to foster a well-informed citizenry and a media landscape that supports transparency, peace, and inclusive governance.
