The Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) Commission, in partnership with the German Agency for International Cooperation (GIZ), launched a workshop in Accra, Ghana on 12 October 2026. The aim is to further the implementation of the ECOWAS Inter-Institutional Communication Strategy and Information and Communication Policy for 2026–2031.
This workshop gathers communication officers from ECOWAS institutions and specialised agencies to improve coordination, align messaging, share communication priorities, and turn the goals of the new policy into actionable steps to support regional integration and ECOWAS Vision 2050.
Mr Joel Ahofoji, Director of Communication at ECOWAS, highlighted the importance of effective communication in advancing regional integration and connecting with citizens. He stated that the workshop marks a significant move towards implementing the adopted policy and strategy.
Lilian Seffer from GIZ, delivering a goodwill message on behalf of the German government, congratulated ECOWAS on this milestone. She emphasised the need to shift from policy development to practical implementation, noting that successful communication is vital in building citizens’ understanding, trust, and engagement in the regional integration process.
Ambassador Mohammed Lawan Gana, ECOWAS Resident Representative in Ghana, welcomed participants and appreciated GIZ’s ongoing support. He noted that ECOWAS is at a pivotal moment in its history as technological advances, including artificial intelligence, reshape the information landscape. He stressed the need for coordinated responses to new challenges impacting peace, security, and regional stability.
Throughout the workshop, participants will review communication successes and lessons from the past year, align current priorities with clear messages, and share institutional goals to enhance their collective impact. The initiative aims to promote inter-institutional cooperation, consistency in public messaging, and the visibility of ECOWAS programmes, ultimately supporting a more responsive and citizen-focused communication approach in advancing the vision of an “ECOWAS of Peoples.”
