ECOWAS trains 500 journalists, strengthens fight against misinformation

Africa, Education

ABUJA, Nigeria (Agency Report) — President of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) Commission, Omar Touray, says the regional body has trained no fewer than 500 journalists across West Africa in recent years as part of efforts to combat misinformation and disinformation.

Touray disclosed this while presenting his Community Work Programme address at the ongoing 2026 First Ordinary Session of the ECOWAS Parliament in Abuja.

According to him, the training initiative was aimed at countering the growing threat posed by fake news to peace, democracy and regional stability within the sub-region.

The ECOWAS Commission president also said the organisation had reinvigorated its information management and strategic communication systems to strengthen the fight against misinformation across West Africa.

“The ECOWAS Information and Communication Policy is currently being modernised to address emerging realities surrounding social media and artificial intelligence,” he said.

Touray added that ECOWAS had supported The Gambia in establishing the region’s first National Response Centre to Combat Misinformation as part of broader efforts to safeguard democratic institutions and public trust.

Reaffirming the commission’s commitment to regional integration, he said ECOWAS would continue prioritising stronger cooperation, accountability and citizen-focused governance aimed at building a peaceful and prosperous West Africa.

Touray further stated that the regional bloc remained resilient in pursuing its goals of economic integration and development despite mounting global economic and security challenges.

According to him, the sub-region is gradually regaining economic momentum while confronting terrorism, political instability and disinformation.

He disclosed that economic growth within the sub-region increased from 4.3 per cent in 2024 to 4.8 per cent in 2025, with projections indicating further growth to 5.0 per cent in 2026.

“This progress stems from the reforms undertaken by Member States, improved fiscal management, declining inflation and renewed efforts to strengthen intra-regional trade under the ECOWAS integration framework,” he said.

Touray urged member states to sustain reforms capable of driving industrial growth, job creation and regional competitiveness.

He also highlighted ECOWAS interventions in peace and security, including intensified mediation and preventive diplomacy efforts across conflict-prone areas within the sub-region.

The ECOWAS president disclosed that preparations for the proposed Regional Counterterrorism Force had reached an advanced stage amid rising threats posed by terrorism and violent extremism across West Africa.

“ECOWAS has also strengthened maritime and border security mechanisms to address the security threats,” he added.

Touray further revealed that the commission continued diplomatic engagement with the Sahel countries of Burkina Faso, Mali and Niger despite tensions surrounding their withdrawal from ECOWAS.

He also disclosed that more than 5.3 million vulnerable persons across the region had benefited from ECOWAS humanitarian interventions, particularly in conflict-affected and disaster-prone communities.

According to him, the commission also expanded empowerment opportunities for youths and women through entrepreneurship support schemes, academic mobility programmes and regional development initiatives aimed at reducing unemployment and social exclusion.

The News Agency of Nigeria reports that Touray’s tenure as President of the ECOWAS Commission is expected to end in August 2026.