A coalition of international organisations has held a capacity-building workshop for journalists, media practitioners, and bloggers in Takoradi on ethical and digital reporting of migration issues in West Africa.
The first in a series of workshops convened 100 journalists, bloggers, and media practitioners from the Western and Western North Regions at the Akroma Plaza Hotel in Takoradi. Under the theme “Reframing Narratives on Free Movement and Migration in West Africa,” the session aimed to shift reporting practices toward evidence-based storytelling that captures the full context of human mobility within the ECOWAS region.
Also, it aims to strengthen accurate, balanced, and development-oriented reporting on migration and free movement of persons within the ECOWAS region.
Speaking at the opening session, the Western Regional Chairman of the Ghana Journalists Association (GJA), Mr Desmond Cudjoe, noted that migration stories across West Africa are too frequently defined by negative framing.
According to him, reportage of human trafficking in particular frequently portrays women as victims only, depriving their tales of involvement and agency.
He urged participants to move beyond entrenched stereotypes and produce work that centres on evidence, context, and the lived realities of migrants.
On his part, the Project Manager and Executive Director of Media Response, Mr Samuel Dodoo, outlined the scope of the initiative, which extends beyond Takoradi.
He stated that a mini-video blogging competition on free movement and migration would be open to journalists, bloggers, and the general public from April to June 2026.
Additionally, community radio panel discussions are planned for the border towns of Elubo, Aflao, and Paga, key transit points for migration, to amplify local voices in the regional conversation.
He acknowledged the funding organisations supporting the programme, including the ECOWAS Commission, the European Union, FMM West Africa, the International Organisation for Migration (IOM), the International Centre for Migration Policy Development (ICMPD), and the International Labour Organisation (ILO).
He also recognised the project steering committee, which includes representation from the GJA, the Ghana Independent Broadcasters Association (GIBA), the Ghana Immigration Service (GIS), the University of Media Arts and Communications (UniMAC), the Information Services Department (ISD), the Ghana News Agency (GNA), and the Coalition of CSOs on Migration Ghana (CCMG).
Participants expressed their appreciation for the event, stating that the training had deepened their understanding of free movement and related topics and strengthened their capacity in digital storytelling.
The Training workshops in this series are scheduled for the Volta and Upper East Regions, with follow-up activities designed to sustain engagement.
Faustina N.A. Johnson, ISD
