Communication officers from ECOWAS institutions and specialised agencies gathered in Accra, Ghana, on 12 October 2026 for a workshop to move the bloc’s newly adopted communication framework from paper to practice.
The ECOWAS Commission convened the meeting in collaboration with the German Agency for International Cooperation (GIZ), according to a report from the Economic Community of West African States.
The framework in question is the ECOWAS Inter-Institutional Communication Strategy and the ECOWAS Institutions Information and Communication Policy for 2026–2031.
The workshop’s stated purpose is to strengthen coordination among institutions, align messaging, share communication priorities and translate the objectives of the policy and strategy into coordinated actions in support of regional integration and the ECOWAS Vision 2050.
Joel Ahofodji, Director of Communication at the ECOWAS Commission, used his opening remarks to stress what he described as the strategic importance of communication in advancing regional integration and bringing the Community closer to its citizens.
He said the workshop marks a critical step from the adoption of the policy and strategy to their effective implementation.
Ahofodji also emphasised the need to translate the 2026–2031 framework’s objectives into practical initiatives that respond to a rapidly evolving digital communication landscape.
He highlighted the importance of addressing emerging challenges in the information environment and of strengthening communication as a strategic instrument for achieving the aspirations of ECOWAS Vision 2050.
Speaking on behalf of the Federal Republic of Germany, Lilian Seffer of GIZ congratulated ECOWAS on reaching what she called an important milestone and stressed the need to move decisively from policy development to implementation.
She pointed to communication’s central role in advancing the transition from an “ECOWAS of States” to an “ECOWAS of Peoples”, noting that effective communication is essential to fostering citizens’ understanding of, trust in and engagement with the regional integration process.
Against the backdrop of declining public trust in multilateral institutions, she reaffirmed GIZ’s commitment to supporting ECOWAS in implementing its new communication policy and strategy.
Ambassador Mohammed Lawan Gana, the ECOWAS Resident Representative in Ghana, also addressed participants, conveying a message from the President of the ECOWAS Commission, H.E. General Birame Diop.
Gana welcomed participants and expressed appreciation to GIZ for its continued partnership and support.
Gana observed that ECOWAS is operating at a decisive moment in its history, as the information landscape undergoes rapid transformation driven by technological advances, including artificial intelligence.
He said these developments present challenges that extend beyond communication to encompass peace, security and regional stability, requiring a coordinated and forward-looking institutional response.
He underscored the importance of establishing clear roles and responsibilities, strengthening collaboration among ECOWAS institutions and ensuring a coherent approach to communication across the Community.
Such efforts, he noted, are essential to addressing emerging information challenges and ensuring that ECOWAS communicates its priorities, decisions and achievements effectively and consistently.
Emphasising measurable outcomes and coordinated action, Gana said: “Our measure of success should not be the number of meetings we hold, but the concrete improvements we achieve.
If we can answer these questions, we would have transformed this Working Group from a forum for discussion into a mechanism for coordinated regional action.”
Over the course of the workshop, participants are to reflect on communication achievements and lessons learned in 2026 to inform future interventions.
Discussions are also to focus on understanding the current priorities of ECOWAS management and translating them into clear, consistent messages that can be communicated collectively across the institutions.
In preparation for 2027, communication officers will share their respective institutional priorities and explore opportunities to link, coordinate and amplify planned activities for greater reach and impact.
The workshop is further described as a platform for participants to work collaboratively on common communication challenges, exchange ideas and experiences, and identify practical solutions while learning from one another.
Through the workshop, ECOWAS says it seeks to strengthen inter-institutional cooperation, promote greater consistency in its public messaging and enhance the visibility and impact of its programmes and initiatives.
The process is expected to contribute to a more coordinated, citizen-centred and responsive communication approach that supports regional integration, reinforces public engagement and advances the vision of an ECOWAS of Peoples.
The initiative also reflects the shared commitment of ECOWAS and GIZ to ensuring that the newly adopted communication policy and strategy translate into practical measures that enhance institutional coordination and enable the Community to communicate more effectively in an increasingly complex and digitalised information environment.
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