Peace in Africa: West African journalists forms Peacebuilding Network

After a two week intensive training on peace-building and the media’s role in the de-escalation of conflict in their respective countries, the fifteen journalists that participated at the training program in Ghana have formed a network in order to promote and report on peace issues their respective countries. The organization is called West African Network of Journalists for Peacebuilding (WANJOP). The headquarters of the network is in Accra Ghana.


According to the journalists, the main motive for the formation of the network is because of the need to address the present condition of conflicts that is plaguing the West African region, the need to improve and enhance reporting on the conflict situation in West Africa and the need to improve the skills and techniques of the journalism profession on reporting conflict matters. Members of the newly set up organization all declared that they will unite together for the promotion of Peacebuilding in the West African region.


The network is composed of five executive members representing the Network and nine national executive members representing the different member countries. The executive members include the President of the Network, Jawneh Nfamara from the Gambia, Vice-President Zibilila Nadietou from Togo, Secretary General, Ama Achiaa Amankwah form Ghana, Asistant Secretary General Amadou Baa from Senegal and the Financial Secretary Abdou Karimou Maiga from Mali.


The National Coordinators include Ishmael Kindama Dumbuya from Sierra Leone, Dossa Jean-Claude from Benin, Sanyang Modou from the Gambia, Awudu Mahama from Ghana, Mendes Joao Umpa from Guinea Bissau, Maiga from Mali, Ezeoke Juliana from Nigeria, Baa from Senegal, and Zibilila from Togo.


Membership into WANJoP is open to all journalists working with a media organization in the sub-region and the status of honorary membership shall be open to opinion leaders, academicians and veteran journalists. The President of the Network shall spearhead the day to day smooth running of the Network while the National Coordinators will spearhead the activities of the Network in their respective countries, sell the image of the Network in their countries and organize activities such as workshops, seminars, conferences on Peacebuilding related matters for journalists and the public in their respective countries.