ECOWAS communications officers deepen their knowledge of the institution’s graphic charter

Communication officers from the institutions, agencies and representations of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) met from July 12 to 16, 2021, in Lomé, Togo, for a second regional workshop to deepen the exchange of experiences on communication practices, challenges and approaches to solutions in order to allow ECOWAS communicate “with one voice”.

The Lomé workshop follows on from the Abidjan workshop which took place in November 2020.

The Communication Directorate of the ECOWAS Commission, in collaboration with the German International Development Cooperation Agency (GIZ), initiated this workshop.

The communications officer of the ECOWAS Parliament, Adama Savadogo, represented the institution at this workshop. He made a presentation on the organization, functioning and communication strategy of the Community Parliament.

The workshop aims to take stock of the implementation of the ECOWAS graphic charter since the meeting in Abidjan and to initiate discussions on the information and communication policy of ECOWAS dating from the year 2000 and the redesign of the ECOWAS commission website.

During the five days of meeting, some communication officers (ECOWAS Parliament, Commission, ARRA, GIABA,) made presentations on their institutions with the aim of, sharing experiences and exchanges on the implementation of strategies, tools and communication activities.

The Media Foundation for West Africa (MFWA), a non-governmental media organization in West Africa, shared its objectives, achievements and avenues of collaboration with the communications officers. It also planned to sign a memorandum of understanding with ECOWAS so as to strengthen their collaboration.

Two work monitoring committees were set up. The first is responsible for working on the main stages of the review of the ECOWAS Information and Communication policy. The second is responsible for monitoring the redevelopment and redesign of the ECOWAS commission website. The two committees are due to present a progress report at the next meeting of communications officers scheduled for September 2021.

At the end of the meeting, the participants of the workshop recommended that, it is important to put communication processes into consideration when drawing up and signing financing or partnership agreements with donors.