UE/R: SOCO PROJECT FACILITATORS URGED TO WORK HARD FOR THE SUCCESS OF THE PROJECT – DCE NABDAM
By: Gladys Apuweni
Journalists, bloggers, and content creators from the Northern and Upper East Regions have participated in a one day training workshop aimed at strengthening accurate and balanced reporting on migration and free movement within the ECOWAS sub region.
The training, held on Wednesday, May 20, 2026, in Bolgatanga in the Upper East Region, formed part of efforts to reshape public narratives on migration through ethical and evidence based journalism.
The workshop brought together media practitioners and digital content creators to deepen their understanding of migration issues, promote responsible storytelling, and encourage human centred reporting that highlights both the opportunities and challenges associated with migration.
Participants were taken through topics including migration governance, free movement within West Africa, digital content creation, and the role of the media in combating misinformation, sensationalism, and stigma surrounding migrants and migration related issues.
As part of the practical sessions, participants were also trained in camera handling, video recording, and video editing to strengthen their digital storytelling skills and enhance the production of impactful migration related content for both traditional and online media platforms.
Facilitators emphasized that migration reporting must move away from fear based and crisis driven narratives towards balanced, development oriented, and evidence based storytelling. Journalists were encouraged to provide context in their reports, uphold human dignity, and avoid stereotypes that fuel discrimination and misunderstanding.
The training also highlighted the importance of regional integration, explaining that mobility and security are complementary and not opposing concepts. Discussions focused on how safe and orderly migration can contribute to trade facilitation, labour mobility, economic development, and social integration across the ECOWAS region.
The workshop formed part of the “Reframing Narratives on Free Movement and Migration in West Africa” project being implemented by Media Response under the FMM West Africa II Project with support from ECOWAS and partners.
Participants expressed appreciation to the organizers for the initiative, describing the training as timely and insightful in equipping media practitioners with the knowledge and tools needed to report responsibly on migration and free movement issues in Ghana and the West African sub region.
