The FOMECAF leadership is pleased to inform Christian media professionals in French-speaking Africa of a regional seminar titled “OUAGA 2023,” to be held from October 30 to November 3, 2023, in Ouagadougou, Burkina Faso.
With the aim of increasingly aligning its activities with those of its partner countries and more effectively supporting efforts at the national level, the Forum is organizing a decentralized meeting this year—in collaboration with Radio Réveil—in the capital of Burkina Faso, one of the current hotspots of conflict in the subregion.
Under the theme “Media: Tools for Peace in a World in Conflict – OUAGA 2023,” this seminar stems from FOMECAF’s strong desire to equip and empower Christian media professionals to play a role in preventing and resolving conflicts on the continent through their action plans.
Participants in OUAGA 2023 will come primarily from countries neighboring Burkina Faso, the host country. These include Benin, Côte d’Ivoire, Mali, Niger, and Togo.
The leaders of the Francophone African Christian Media Forum therefore urge media professionals to continue making use of the tools already made available to them and still accessible through the organization’s official channels:
As for participants from Central and East African countries, they are reminded that seminars are being organized and that very soon, they too will have the opportunity to host the Forum’s sessions.
Confident that your interest in the various initiatives led by FOMECAF remains strong and continues to grow, we wish each and every one of you all the best for the future.
See you soon for a reunion that’s as uplifting and inspiring as ever!
The Francophone African Christian Media Forum (FOMECAF) and the Radio Réveil Association are jointly awarding the 2023 François SERGY Prize to photographer Koudousse Moustapha of Benin and radio broadcaster Rabiou Hamadou of Niger.
On February 24, FOMECAF officials, in collaboration with the Franco-Swiss Association Radio Réveil, presented an encouragement award to media professionals for the fourth time on the final day of the Lomé 5 seminar. This year, Koudousse Moustapha of Benin and Rabiou Hamadou of Niger impressed the jury. The first’s focus on social impact and the second’s emphasis on promoting peace and “living together” align with the theme of the seminar that just concluded in Lomé, as well as with the teachings provided by FOMECAF since 2019.
The François Sergy Award honors participants in the Lomé seminars who have distinguished themselves through their application of the lessons learned during the five seminars held since 2019 in the Togolese capital.
A photographer from Benin is honored
Koudousse Moustapaha, a young photojournalist from Benin, runs “Kovart Digital School,” a photography school founded just one year ago in Porto-Novo, the capital of Benin. After earning his high school diploma, he enrolled in a photography program in 2017, pursuing a field in the media that was already his passion. He earned his Certificate of Professional Qualification (CQM) in 2020. His talent was quickly recognized. Among the assignments he has undertaken is one for the Office of the President of Benin, which has placed its trust in him. Koudousse Moustapaha participated in the Lomé 4 seminar and has since distinguished himself through the quality of his work. Building on what he learned, he launched “Kovart Digital School” a few weeks later, an initiative dedicated to social action. This school is located in a disadvantaged neighborhood.
A radio personality from Maradi
Rabiou Hamadou is the second recipient of the François Sergy Award. A citizen of Niger, he is the founder of “Radio Nagarta” in Maradi, Niger. The station’s editorial line gives a voice to the entire social, cultural, and religious mosaic that makes up this region in the eastern part of his country, which is plagued by instability caused by nearby jihadist armed groups. “I dedicate this award to all the victims of the Russian-Ukrainian war and their families,” he said upon receiving his award. It did not escape this media veteran’s notice that the award was presented to him exactly one year to the day after the outbreak of the war in Europe. (c)
About the François Sergy Prize
The François Sergy Award was established in 2019. In partnership with FOMECAF, it honors a particularly commendable media project in memory of the late journalist François Sergy, a contributor to Radio Réveil who was himself of African descent. In 2019, Dodji Juliette Kpessou received the award for her series of columns titled “O2Vie.” Jean-Luc Simbilyabo of the DRC was honored in 2020 for his contributions in Ituri (eastern Congo). In 2021, Abdoualye Cissé was honored for his work and perseverance in Timbuktu (Mali).
More information about the other recipients of the François Sergy Award:
Since 2019, the Forum of Christian Media in French-Speaking Africa (FOMECAF) has brought together the signatories of “ The Lomé Declaration ,” which brings together representatives of faith-based media in French-speaking Africa once a year.
https://mediasebene.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/03/Lome5-Remise-Prix-Sergy.jpg8841421Patriziahttps://mediasebene.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/11/logo-medias-ebene-web-202411-300x138.pngPatriziaMarch 7, 2023, 1:47:39 PMMay 8, 2024, 10:30:02 a.m.Lomé 5: Two Secular Actors Honored with the 2023 François Sergy Prize
The goal of the Lomé meetings is to encourage journalists, hosts, and technicians at Christian radio stations in French-speaking Africa. From February 20 to 24, Emmanuel Ziehli, director of Radio R, traveled there to participate in the fifth edition of this seminar. The theme was: “Media: Tools for Peace in a World at War.” A recap of this event can be heard on “Un R d’Actu” on RADIO R.
On Tuesday, March 7, Emmanuel Ziehli, director of Radio R, and Illia Djadi, an analyst with the NGO Portes ouvertes, reviewed the fifth edition of the Lomé meetings organized by FOMECAF (Forum of Christian Media in Francophone Africa).
This year, these networking and professional development events—designed primarily for journalists, hosts, and directors of religious radio stations in French-speaking Africa—focused on the theme: “Media: Tools for Peace in a World at War.”
Illia Djadi was the keynote speaker. He encouraged the approximately 70 participants to use radio as a tool to promote social harmony and ensure that everyone has a voice on Christian radio stations, including representatives of the Muslim community. (c)
Listen to the show “Un R d’Actu” featuring Illia Djadi (Portes ouvertes), Emmanuel Ziehli (Radio Réveil), Abdoulaye Cissé (Mali), and Alphonse Teyabé (Cameroon).
More than 70 representatives of Christian media outlets from French-speaking Africa will gather at the OCDI in Lomé from February 20 to 24, 2023, with the goal of building their capacity and exchanging ideas as part of the Forum of Christian Media in French-Speaking Africa (FOMECAF). Illia Djadi, a journalist and human rights advocate, will be the keynote speaker at this fifth edition, which is themed “Media: Tools for Peace in a World in Conflict.” Held under the patronage of the Ministry of Communication and Media, the minister, Professor Akodah Ayewouadan, will be the guest of honor at the opening ceremony.
FOMECAF is meeting for the fifth time in the Togolese capital. More than 70 participants from nearly 15 countries are expected to attend this major gathering of Christian media from Francophone Africa. Furthermore, after two previous editions held despite the COVID-19 pandemic, this edition marks the return of four hands-on workshops led by distinguished international guests: Joël Pelet, Director of “Canal Alpha” television in Switzerland; Christian Gaspoz, Director of “Radios Ébène Développement” in Paris; Denis Steffen, a radio consultant and member of the board of directors of Radio Réveil; and Pierre-Yves Mutrux, a program officer with the international organization “Galcom” in Canada. The Swiss association Radio Réveil is co-organizing the event for the last time and is represented by its president, Emmanuel Ziehli. This edition marks the end of a transition process, with the future now lying exclusively in the hands of African leaders.
Illia DJADI, keynote speaker for this year's event
In a world shaken by repeated conflicts that disrupt the economy and daily life in nations, Illia DJADI, drawing on his experience as an analyst, will provide his peers with insights into the issue of conflict on the continent and the tools needed to intervene in the pursuit of peace. He will find the right words to help the journalists attending this meeting understand how to serve as “Tools of Peace” when peace is threatened in the areas they cover. Throughout his presentation, he will address the challenges posed by conflicts in Africa and around the world; the potential for radio and social media to become weapons of mass destruction; and the role the media can play in conflict prevention…
Named the keynote speaker, Illia DJADI is in charge of issues related to religious freedom and belief in Sub-Saharan Africa on behalf of the international NGO “Open Doors.” Illia is an expert in this field and speaks in the media and at international forums to raise awareness about the rise of religious extremism in Africa and the dangers threatening “social cohesion” on the continent. Originally from Niger, he lives in London, where he has been actively involved in the development of FOMECAF for several years.
Lomé 5: Plenary Sessions and Workshops
Lomé will once again feature a combination of plenary sessions and workshops. The plenary sessions, which will be held every morning, will be deeply inspiring experiences led by experienced speakers who are well-versed in the subject matter. As regular attendees of the seminar and fully committed to fostering media convergence in Africa, the various leaders will take turns over the course of five days to explore topics designed to equip participants to become active agents in easing tensions across the continent. The return of practical workshops in the afternoons will also provide added value for participants. Four workshops are offered to participants, including “Studio Sound” by Pierre-Yves Mutrux, “Filmed Radio” by Joël Pelet, and “FM Transmitter” by Christian GASPOZ.
Internet Broadcasting and Leadership
The plenary sessions and workshops of Lomé 5 will be broadcast in their entirety, both live and on a delayed basis, on FOMECAF’s various channels, particularly Facebook and YouTube.
FOMECAF leaders, for their part, will focus on issues related to the organization’s new direction. These five meetings constitute one of the major activities of Lomé 5 (c).
About FOMECAF
FOMECAF was founded in Lomé in 2019 on the sidelines of media training seminars. It brings together about 50 representatives of faith-based media organizations in French-speaking Africa.
Its leadership team consists of:
1. Dr. Abdoualye Sangho, Trans World Radio (TWR), Ivory Coast 2. Dr. Etienne Kiemdé, Radio Évangile et Développement, Burkina Faso 3. Illia Djadi, Open Doors London 4. Olivia Beugre, Radio La Voix de l’Espérance, Ivory Coast 5. Juliette Kpessou, Radio Hosanna, Benin 6. Rev. Timothée Amegan, Mediaafrique Media Training, Togo 7. Dr. Alphonse Teyabé, media consultant, Cameroon 8. Benjamin Holl, Radio Vie Nouvelle, Cameroon 9. Dr. Augustin Ahoga, theologian and sociologist, Benin 10. Blaise Gaïtou, National Director of JEM, Niger 11. Koffi Ahonon, National Director of Compassion, Togo 12. Mawuena Abotschi, Permanent Secretary in Lomé, Togo
The names in bold are members of the executive board. Two international figures are joining for one last time this year:
13. Emmanuel Ziehli, President of Radio Réveil, France 14. Henriette Saindon, Secretary of Africa by Radio, South Africa
https://mediasebene.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/02/Image1.png327714Patriziahttps://mediasebene.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/11/logo-medias-ebene-web-202411-300x138.pngPatriziaFebruary 17, 2023, 2:11:00 PMJune 16, 2024, 1:53:37 PMLOME 5: THE MEDIA AS TOOLS FOR PEACE IN A WORLD AT WAR
