Africa-Press – Gambia. The Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) has honored twelve distinguished journalists from across the region for their exceptional contributions to journalism as part of the inaugural ECOWAS Journalistic Excellence Awards held on Friday, July 26, in The Gambia.
The awards ceremony, which coincided with ECOWAS’s 50th anniversary celebrations, marked a significant milestone in the organization’s efforts to promote professional journalism and reinforce the vital role of the media in fostering regional development and integration.
Delivering the keynote address, ECOWAS Resident Representative in The Gambia, Miatta Lily French, underscored the indispensable role of journalists in the West African integration process. She described the awards as a symbol of regional solidarity and a testament to ECOWAS’s commitment to cultivating a dynamic and resilient media environment that reflects the voices and realities of West Africans.
“You bring institutions closer to citizens, you expose truth, spark conversations, and safeguard our democratic space. Through your work you give voice to the voiceless and to the public,” she stated.
Kodou L. Jabang Senghore, Permanent Secretary at The Gambia’s Ministry of Information, described the awards ceremony as more than a formal occasion, emphasizing its significance as a powerful testament to the vital role of journalism in advancing socio-economic development, strengthening democracy, and fostering regional integration within ECOWAS.
She praised journalists as the often-overlooked champions who work diligently to inform, educate, and empower the public—serving as the eyes and ears of their societies across the region.
“Banjul has a strong claim to host this important forum; moreover our country was a founding member of ECOWAS,” she noted.
She expressed solidarity with journalists facing threats and challenges in the line of duty and reaffirmed the shared responsibility of ECOWAS member states to protect press freedom and uphold the rights of media professionals. She also encouraged greater collaboration, innovation, and knowledge-sharing among journalists across the region.
Isatou Keita, president of the Gambia Press Union, hailed the awards as a landmark moment for West African journalism. She praised ECOWAS for recognizing the courage, integrity, and public service of journalists, adding that the awards send a strong message about the indispensable role of free and responsible journalism in advancing democracy and regional cooperation.
“This is why this award truly matters; it goes beyond recognition, it is an affirmation of journalism’s role as a cornerstone to democracy and a catalyst to regional development,” she said.
Keita called on governments, institutions, and the public to support and protect journalists beyond celebratory moments.
Among the honorees was Gambian journalist Sankulleh Janko, who received the Radio Reporter of the Year award.
“I am grateful to ECOWAS for giving the opportunity for people to recognize the job of journalists,” Janko expressed.
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