The Board of Directors  of the Media Foundation for West Africa (MFWA) issued a resolution in Accra, Ghana,  last month outlining challenges facing Freedom of Expression, Media Freedom and Professionalism in West Africa.
In its resolution, the organization expressed great concern about the serious challenges posed by extremism, terrorism and drug trafficking to media freedom and practice in West Africa.
MFWA urged countries in the West African region to actively implement the resolution and promote media freedom and professional practice in the media sector.
In the 11 point resolution, the governments of Nigeria, Mali and Ghana were commended for their support in co-sponsoring the resolution as it welcomed the adoption of the resolution on the safety of journalists and the issue of impunity by the UN General Assembly.
The Board commended MFWA Secretariat for its relentless efforts in promoting free expression in West Africa, especially during the political crisis and ongoing democratic recovery processes in Mali and Cote d’Ivoire.
Also highlighted in the resolution is the undeniable relevance of Internet penetration, affordability and access for the overall development of the region. This will serve as an effective tool for the enhancement of media freedom and freedom of expression.
The Media Foundation for West Africa (MFWA) is a regional independent, non-profit, non-governmental organisation based in Accra, Ghana to defend and promote the rights and freedoms of the media, and generally, to help expand the boundaries of freedom of speech and expression in West Africa.
