ILO and ECOWAS Empower West African Media to Combat Forced Labour Narratives

In a groundbreaking move to transform public narratives around labour migration, fair recruitment, and forced labour, the International Labour Organization (ILO), in collaboration with the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS), hosted a Regional Adaptation Workshop in Abuja, Nigeria, marking a major step toward localizing the ILO's Media Toolkit on Reporting Forced Labour and Fair Recruitment for the West African region.

The workshop, held at the Chelsea Hotel, brought together more than 50 participants, including journalists, government representatives, trade union leaders, employer organizations, and development partners, under the umbrella of three key programmes — FMM West Africa II, FAIR III, and ACTION Project. The event was co-funded by the European Union (EU) and the Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation (SDC).

The initiative aims to strengthen responsible journalism in the region by equipping media professionals with ethical, evidence-based reporting tools to challenge stereotypes, combat misinformation, and elevate stories of resilience and justice in the context of migration and labour rights.

"This toolkit is not just a guide—it is a call to action to inform, influence, and protect," said Ms. Inviolata Chinyangarara, from ILO-ACTRAV, representing the ILO Country Director. "We must empower the media to tell migration stories that uphold dignity and human rights."

From Southern Africa to West Africa: Adapting a Proven Toolkit

Originally designed for Southern Africa, the ILO's Media Toolkit has now been customized for West Africa, reflecting the region's distinct realities. The adaptation integrates the ECOWAS Free Movement Protocols, regional migration frameworks, and emerging cross-cutting issues such as returnee reintegration, climate-induced displacement, trafficking in persons, and the spread of misinformation.

This localization process marks a turning point for ECOWAS Member States, providing a practical tool for journalists and communicators to shape accurate and humane narratives around labour migration.

"We must shape Africa's labour migration story ourselves—fairly and fearlessly," said Mr. Omar Faruk Osman Nur, President of the Federation of African Journalists (FAJ), underscoring the vital role of media independence and ethical storytelling in advancing social justice.

The adaptation process was guided by international media expert Charles Autheman, who led participants through interactive training modules on:

• Ethical storytelling and migrant-sensitive reporting;

• Media safety and protection in crisis environments;

• Fact-based reporting using verified data sources; and

• Gender-sensitive and trauma-informed journalism.

The workshop combined theory with hands-on exercises, including story development clinics, peer exchanges, and simulation sessions, fostering collaboration among participants and generating practical strategies for regional coordination and national media outreach.

A Platform for Advocacy and Regional Integration

The event also served as a platform for cross-sector dialogue, with representatives from governments, trade unions, and development agencies highlighting the media's strategic role in promoting safe, orderly, and fair labour migration in alignment with ECOWAS Vision 2050 and the African Union's Migration Policy Framework for Africa (MPFA).

Mr. John Odah, representing the Organization of Trade Unions of West Africa (OTUWA), emphasized that the toolkit reinforces ECOWAS's principles of free movement and labour rights, while Mr. Thompson Akpabio of FOPAO urged journalists to counter disinformation and exploitative narratives that fuel xenophobia and stigma.

"Responsible journalism must be rooted in accuracy and empathy," Akpabio said. "By giving voice to workers and migrants, the media can dismantle myths that devalue their contributions."

From a development perspective, Ms. Lilian Ashia of GIZ Ghana underscored the importance of structured awareness campaigns and access to accurate information, especially for rural populations vulnerable to trafficking and recruitment fraud.

"Information is protection," she stated. "When citizens and migrants know their rights, risks decrease and societies become stronger."

Empowering Journalists as Agents of Change

For many participants, the workshop was both transformative and inspiring, redefining how media practitioners approach stories on migration and labour issues.

"This toolkit gives us a voice to tell stories that matter," said Aisha Sulayman, a journalist from The Gambia. "It's empowering to see how journalism can push policies and restore dignity to migrant workers in our region."

The discussions underscored that ethical and informed journalism not only strengthens democracy but also enhances policy accountability, encouraging governments and institutions to uphold international labour standards.

Tomas Autheman, who facilitated the practical sessions, described the toolkit as "a bridge between journalism and justice." By providing accessible guidance on language sensitivity, data verification, and cross-border collaboration, it aims to transform how the media covers migration — shifting focus from sensationalism to solutions-based reporting.

ILO and ECOWAS: A Partnership for Dignity and Inclusion

Ms. Vanessa Phala, ILO Country Director for Nigeria, Ghana, Liberia, Sierra Leone, and Liaison Office for ECOWAS, lauded the initiative as a milestone in the region's ongoing efforts to promote fair migration and ethical reporting.

"By equipping journalists with the right tools and knowledge, we are strengthening ethical journalism while advancing the rights and dignity of migrant workers across West Africa," Phala said. "This adaptation is not just about media training—it's about building social justice through storytelling."

The partnership between the ILO and ECOWAS reflects a shared commitment to regional cooperation, capacity development, and knowledge exchange as pillars of sustainable migration governance. Both institutions continue to work closely under initiatives such as FMM West Africa II (Facilitating Free Movement of Persons and Migration in West Africa), FAIR III (Fair Recruitment Initiative), and the ACTION Project, which combat forced labour, irregular migration, and human trafficking.

Next Steps: Regional Dissemination and Media Network Formation

The adapted toolkit will be finalized and translated into English, French, and Portuguese, ensuring accessibility for all 15 ECOWAS Member States. A regional sensitization campaign will follow, featuring national workshops, journalist-led outreach, and cross-border collaborations aimed at sustaining momentum and institutionalizing best practices in migration reporting.

Plans are also underway to establish a West African Media Network on Fair Recruitment and Labour Migration, connecting trained journalists and editors across borders to share stories, data, and resources, and to foster peer learning.

This network will collaborate with ILO's global FAIR initiative, reinforcing a worldwide movement of journalists advocating for ethical labour migration coverage and zero tolerance for forced labour.

Toward a More Just and Informed Migration Narrative

The localization of the ILO Media Toolkit represents a new chapter for West African journalism, one where media plays an active role in protecting human rights, promoting fair recruitment, and amplifying migrant voices.

As the region continues to face complex migration dynamics shaped by economic disparities, conflict, and climate change, empowering journalists to tell informed, balanced, and humane stories is crucial.

"This is more than a toolkit—it's a movement," said Omar Faruk Osman Nur. "A movement for truth, dignity, and solidarity across borders."

Through partnerships like this, the ILO and ECOWAS are reaffirming that the path to safe, fair, and dignified migration begins with awareness—and that awareness begins with the media.