Accra, Jan 9, GNA-Media Response, a Ghana-based migration-focused NGO, has inaugurated a 9-Member Project Steering Committee (PSC) for its regional initiative titled “Reframing Narratives on Free Movement and Migration in West Africa.”
The Steering Committee, which was inaugurated in Accra will provide strategic guidance and oversight for the project’s implementation across various regions in Ghana.

The project ‘Reframing Narratives on Free Movement and Migration’ which will be implemented by Media Response over a period of 14 months with support from FMM West Africa, the ECOWAS Commission, European Union and the International Organization for Migration (IOM), seeks to promote accurate, balanced, and human-centred public discourse on migration and free movement within West Africa.
It responds to persistent misinformation, negative stereotypes, and limited public understanding of migration dynamics, particularly as they relate to the ECOWAS Free Movement Protocol and regional integration.

The project is designed to strengthen the capacity of journalists, media practitioners, and public communication officers to report on migration responsibly and accurately.
Key project activities include targeted training workshops in three regions (Western, Volta, and Upper East), hands-on digital storytelling and video-blogging sessions, media engagements such as radio discussions and public awareness campaigns, and sustained collaboration with media institutions, academia, and migration authorities.

It places strong emphasis on ethical, evidence-based reporting and the use of real-life, human stories to help the public better understand migration beyond crisis-driven narratives and also includes monitoring, documentation, and dissemination of migration-related media content to track progress and impact.

The Committee brings together key institutions whose roles are critical to migration governance, public communication, and media development in Ghana.
Members include Deputy Commissioner of Immigration (DCI) Maud Anima Quainoo, Head of Public Affairs, Ghana Immigration Service (GIS), Mr. George-Ramsey Benamba, Chief Editor of the Ghana News Agency (GNA), Ms. Bertha Agyei, National Treasurer of the Ghana Journalists Association (GJA) and Mr. Samuel Antwi, Deputy Chief Information Officer, Information Services Department (ISD).

Others are Mr. Eric Boakye Peasah, National Convenor of the CSO Coalition on Migration Ghana (CCMG), Mr. Bala Ali of the Media Relations Division of the ISD, Mr. Abdul Rauf Mahama Executive Council Member of the of Ghana Independent Broadcasters Association (GIBA), Mr. Dasmani Laary Issifu, Eastern Regional Manager of the Ghana News Agency and Dr Stephen Tindi, Senior Lecturer at the University of Media, Arts and Communications (UniMAC).

The diverse composition of the committee reflects the project’s multi-stakeholder approach, combining policy, practice, media, academia, and civil society perspectives to guide implementation.

The Steering Committee is responsible for providing advisory support to ensure the project meets its objectives.
Its functions include ensuring the alignment of project activities with national, regional and ECOWAS migration and media policies; promoting ownership, sustainability and stakeholder engagement across the target regions, and strengthening institutional coordination among key stakeholders.
The committee will also support visibility and outreach efforts, help strengthen partnerships, and contribute to monitoring progress and addressing emerging challenges during implementation.

Speaking at the inaugural meeting, Executive Director of Media Response Samuel Dodoo underscored the importance of collaboration in changing how migration is discussed and understood in West Africa.
“Journalists and communicators play a critical role in shaping public perception”, and that the project provides an opportunity to promote informed, factual, and people-centred narratives that support regional integration,” he noted.

A member, Abdul Rauf Mahama commended Media Response for “the clarity of purpose and commitment shown toward the success of the Project,” and pledged his support to work with other committee members to “support the effective implementation and sustainable outcomes for the project.”

With the Steering Committee formally inaugurated, Media Response is set to begin full implementation of activities, working closely with partners and stakeholders to foster more balanced and responsible conversations on free movement and migration across West Africa.
GNA
Edited by George-Ramsey Benamba