Ambassador Agyeman and Media Leaders Advocate for African Integration and Youth-Led Solutions

In a significant push for continental dialogue and progress, media stakeholders and diplomats have converged in Accra to launch Deutsche Welle’s (DW) ‘Under the Baobab’ programme. The event, held in partnership with Ghana’s Channel One TV, focused on the theme “Beyond the Welcome: Migration, Xenophobia and Belonging in Africa.” The initiative seeks to create a platform for candid public discourse, specifically targeting young Africans to ensure their voices are central in shaping the continent’s future. Bernard Avle, General Manager of Channel One TV and Citi FM, emphasized that the partnership is rooted in the shared value of strengthening democracy through independent media and inclusive conversations.

Addressing the gathering, Ambassador Harold Adlai Agyeman highlighted the urgent need for deeper economic integration to unlock Africa’s collective potential. With a combined GDP of approximately US$3.5 trillion, Agyeman noted that fragmentation remains a significant barrier to prosperity. He pointed to the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) as a vital mechanism for growth and urged nations to view migration not as a societal problem, but as a historical driver of development. He called for the cultivation of a shared African identity to combat unemployment and improve public services, creating a more stable and prosperous continent.

Complementing these calls for systemic change, veteran Nollywood actor Richard Mofe-Damijo (RMD) recently challenged citizens to take personal responsibility for national development. Speaking at the 2026 Pivot Nigeria Conference in Lagos, RMD urged Nigerians and Africans at large to move beyond mere criticism of leadership and instead propose actionable solutions. Describing the nation as a "work in progress," he stressed that every citizen’s conduct reflects on the country’s international image, advocating for a culture of accountability and collective patience in driving reform.

Together, these developments highlight a growing movement across West Africa to foster intellectual and economic sovereignty. By combining the media’s role in facilitating youth-led dialogue with diplomatic efforts toward economic unity and civic calls for proactive citizenship, leaders across various sectors are seeking to address the root causes of xenophobia and stagnation. The ongoing collaboration between international and local media outlets like DW and Channel One TV is expected to provide the necessary platform for these critical issues to remain at the forefront of the African agenda.