Boubacar Sow, Special Advisor to the President of Réseau des Médias Africains pour la Promotion de la Santé et de l’Environnement (REMAPSEN), concluded a three-day visit to Ghana this week. The visit aimed to finalize preparations for the upcoming REMAPSEN Media Forum and Awards Ceremony, scheduled to take place in Accra in October 2026.
Preparations for Continental Gathering Underway
The core objective of Sow’s visit was to engage with key stakeholders in Ghana. This included national media houses, state actors, and development partners. The goal was to introduce the REMAPSEN network and secure institutional support for the significant continental event. Accra is expected to host over 200 journalists, government officials, and development partners from across Africa for the forum and awards.
Sow was welcomed by Emefa A. Ewoenam Atiamoah Eli, the West and Central Africa Regional Coordinator for Maternal, Newborn and Child Health at REMAPSEN and also the National Coordinator for REMAPSEN Ghana. The delegation also met with Tony Goodman, Head of Health Training Institutions Unit and Spokesperson at the Ministry of Health, who hosted them on behalf of the Minister.
Engaging National Stakeholders and Media Leaders
During his visit, Sow made a courtesy call to the Office of the Minister of Government Communications at the Presidency. He met with Felix Kwakye Ofosu to explore collaboration opportunities for the Accra conference. Further discussions took place with officials at Ghana’s Ministry of Health and the World Health Organisation, focusing on strengthening partnerships in maternal, newborn, and child health communication and advocacy.
To foster deeper media participation, the REMAPSEN delegation visited the newsrooms of prominent Ghanaian media organizations. These included Graphic Communications Group Limited, The Multimedia Group Limited, Ghana Broadcasting Corporation, and Media General. Each organization expressed commitment to providing necessary media support for the event.
At Graphic Communications Group Limited, the delegation met with newsroom leadership including Chief Sub-Editor Zakaria Alhassan and Health/Gender Page Editor Rebecca Quaicoe Duho. At The Multimedia Group Limited, General Manager of Joy Brands, Fiifi Koomson, commended REMAPSEN members for their dedication to societal impact through journalism. The Ghana Broadcasting Corporation welcomed the delegation with their Head of News, Alswell Yorke. Media General assured support through their Manager for News Planning and Administration, Cyril Dogbe.
Ghana’s Growing Influence in REMAPSEN
The upcoming Accra forum builds on the success of the previous REMAPSEN Media Forum and Awards Ceremony held in Cotonou, Benin, in January 2026. Ghana’s chapter notably received recognition for its contributions to health and environmental reporting. Emefa A. Ewoenam Atiamoah Eli was specifically honored for her work in advancing coverage on neglected tropical diseases, highlighting Ghana’s increasing prominence within the network.
REMAPSEN’s Role in African Journalism
REMAPSEN operates as a pan-African media network dedicated to enhancing journalism focused on health and environmental issues across the continent. Through targeted training, fellowships, and collaborative reporting projects, the organization empowers journalists to produce impactful, data-driven stories. These stories aim to shape public discourse and influence policy on critical topics such as maternal and child health, infectious diseases, and environmental sustainability.
Focus on Maternal, Newborn, and Child Health
This year’s forum in Accra is set to place a significant emphasis on maternal, newborn, and child health. Key partners, including the Bill Gates Foundation and Speak-Up Africa, are supporting the initiative. Beyond discussions and knowledge-sharing, the awards ceremony will celebrate journalistic excellence, recognizing reporters whose work drives awareness and action on pressing health and environmental challenges in Africa.
Accra as a Hub for Solutions-Driven Journalism
Hosting the 2026 REMAPSEN Media Forum and Awards Ceremony positions Ghana as a crucial hub for solutions-driven journalism on the continent. The event offers a platform to further amplify impactful reporting and foster collaborations that address Africa’s most pressing health and environmental concerns.
Looking ahead, the success of the Accra forum will be measured by the strengthened partnerships forged, the innovative journalistic approaches discussed, and the tangible impact on public health and environmental awareness across Africa. Observers will watch for follow-up initiatives stemming from the forum that translate into improved reporting and policy engagement on these vital issues.
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