On October 26, the CEDEAO-UEMOA Cell and the Regional Agency for Agriculture and Food (ARAA) organized an information and awareness day for journalists in Kpalimé, Togo. The event aimed to enhance the visibility of CEDEAO's interventions in various sectors, including agriculture, infrastructure, energy, trade, employment, education, vocational training, and environment. Journalists from the Maritime and Plateaux regions attended the meeting, which covered topics such as the presentation of CEDEAO-UEMOA Cell, understanding CEDEAO, agriculture and food security, and the role of media in promoting CEDEAO's activities.
The CEDEAO-UEMOA Cell's representative, Babimlé Lagnie, emphasized the importance of raising awareness about CEDEAO's initiatives among national stakeholders. He stated that the organization's ambitions for regional integration cannot be achieved without better knowledge and ownership of its programs by the populations. Lagnie highlighted that regional integration must translate into concrete benefits in people's daily lives, such as access to regional markets, training and employment opportunities, and facilitated movement of people and goods.
Éléonore Sotongbé, a jurist and focal point for the Regional Stabilization and Development Fund at CEDEAO-UEMOA Cell, noted that several CEDEAO achievements remain little known to the public despite their presence on the ground. She cited interventions in agriculture and food security, such as school canteens and training for farmers and breeders, with the support of ARAA based in Lomé. Sotongbé mentioned the actions of the Regional Stabilization and Development Fund, established to support projects in fragile areas of the community.
The journalists who attended the meeting pledged to relay information about CEDEAO's projects and programs, producing local content that reaches beneficiary populations. The CEDEAO-UEMOA Cell has committed to communicating and involving media professionals in the execution of their activities on the ground. This collaboration aims to bring community institutions closer to citizens and encourage their participation in offered opportunities.
The event covered several key topics, including the presentation of CEDEAO-UEMOA Cell, understanding CEDEAO, agriculture and food security, the role of media in promoting CEDEAO's activities, and current challenges and the need for sustainability. Journalists received several communications, enabling them to better understand CEDEAO's interventions and their impact on the Togolese population.
The CEDEAO-UEMOA Cell and ARAA's initiative seeks to strengthen the relationship between community institutions and citizens by disseminating information about CEDEAO's achievements through media professionals. By doing so, they aim to promote regional integration and encourage citizens to take advantage of opportunities offered by CEDEAO's programs and projects.
The collaboration between CEDEAO-UEMOA Cell, ARAA, and Togolese journalists marks a significant step towards enhancing the visibility of CEDEAO's interventions in Togo. By working together, they can ensure that the Togolese population is better informed about the organization's achievements and can benefit from its programs and projects.
Key points
- CEDEAO and ARAA collaborate to inform Togolese journalists about regional organization's projects and programs.
- Journalists pledge to relay information about CEDEAO's projects and programs to beneficiary populations.
- CEDEAO-UEMOA Cell commits to communicating and involving media professionals in the execution of their activities on the ground.
