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 workshop concerns two documents: the ECOWAS Inter-Institutional Communication Strategy and the ECOWAS Institutions Information and Communication Policy, both covering 2026–2031.
Participants are working to strengthen coordination, align institutional messaging, share communication priorities and translate the objectives of the policy and strategy into coordinated actions in support of regional integration and ECOWAS Vision 2050.
Joel Ahofodji, Director of Communication at the ECOWAS Commission, said in opening remarks that the workshop marks a critical step from the adoption of the policy and strategy to their effective implementation.
He emphasised the need to turn the objectives of the 2026–2031 framework into practical initiatives that respond to a rapidly evolving digital communication landscape, and highlighted the importance of addressing emerging challenges in the information environment and strengthening communication as a strategic instrument for achieving the aspirations of ECOWAS Vision 2050.
Lilian Seffer, representing GIZ, delivered a goodwill message on behalf of the Federal Republic of Germany. She congratulated ECOWAS on reaching what she described as an important milestone and stressed the need to move decisively from policy development to implementation.
Seffer pointed to the central role of communication 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, conveyed a message from the President of the ECOWAS Commission, H.E. General Birame Diop. He 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 stressed that these developments present challenges extending 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.
Over the course of the workshop, participants will reflect on communication achievements and lessons learned in 2026 to inform future interventions.
Discussions will also 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 will further provide 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 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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