Equity, community-led innovation and the strategic power of African media took centre stage at the REMAPSEN Africa Media Forum on Neglected Tropical Diseases (NTDs) in Cotonou, as journalists, health experts and advocates called for stronger storytelling and sustained advocacy to accelerate disease elimination across the continent.

The two-day forum, hosted by the Government of Benin, brought together media professionals from across Africa alongside development partners, civil society organisations and policymakers to reframe the fight against NTDs as a social justice and development imperative.

Communities Must Be at the Centre of NTD Solutions

A panel discussion, themed “Equity, innovation, sport for health – putting communities at the heart of solutions,” highlighted the need for inclusive, people-centred approaches that prioritise those most affected by NTDs.

Chairing the session, Emefa Ewoenam Atiamoah-Eli, REMAPSEN Ghana, urged journalists to move beyond episodic reporting and focus on narratives that humanise the disease burden.

“NTD elimination will remain out of reach if the stories of affected communities are not told with dignity, depth and consistency,” she noted.

Tackling Stigma and Supporting Survivors

Roch Christian Johnson, Medical Advisor to the Raoul Follereau Foundation in Africa, identified stigma as a major barrier to progress, noting that fear and discrimination continue to discourage people from seeking treatment.

“Responsible media coverage can either reinforce stigma or dismantle it,” he said, emphasising the importance of survivor-centred storytelling and ethical reporting.

He shared that community dialogue, peer advocacy and long-term media engagement have proven effective in changing perceptions and improving health-seeking behaviour.

Advocacy, Integration and Co-Creation

From an advocacy perspective, Yaye Sophietou Diop, Director of Partnerships and Development at Speak-Up Africa, stressed the importance of integrating NTD interventions into primary healthcare systems.
“When NTD services are embedded into routine care, access improves and equity is strengthened,” she said.

Ms. Diop also underscored the need for co-creation with communities, explaining that solutions designed with local input are more sustainable and impactful.

Sport as a Public Health Tool

Adding a social mobilisation lens, Ian Dénagnon Mahinmi, a French-Beninese international basketball player, laid emphasis on the role of sport in engaging young people and promoting health education.

“Sport opens doors. It creates trust, dialogue and influence, especially among the youth,” he said, calling for stronger involvement of sports media in public health advocacy.

African Media and the Power of Advocacy Journalism

The focus then shifted to another panel discussion themed “The Role of African Media in Advocacy and Resource Mobilisation,” which examined how journalism can influence political commitment and unlock funding for NTD elimination.

Prince Yassa, National Coordinator of Congo Croissance REMAPSEN, challenged African journalists to embrace advocacy journalism that goes beyond awareness creation.

“The media must interrogate budgets, track commitments and demand accountability,” he said, adding that sustained coverage is key to attracting both domestic and international resources.

He noted that understanding health financing and development frameworks will enable journalists to report more effectively on funding gaps and policy failures.

Echoing this, Khadija Aliyu, Deputy National Coordinator of REMAPSEN Nigeria, described storytelling as one of the most powerful tools for mobilising resources.

“When data is combined with human stories, decision-makers listen,” she said.

Ms. Aliyu called for stronger collaboration between journalists, civil society and health institutions to improve access to credible information and amplify advocacy efforts at national and regional levels.

Sustaining Momentum Towards Elimination

Across both panels, participants agreed that NTDs cannot be eliminated without community ownership, inclusive innovation and a media landscape committed to human-centred storytelling and accountability.

The REMAPSEN Africa Media Forum on NTDs continues with capacity-building sessions and will culminate in an awards ceremony recognising outstanding media contributions to NTD advocacy across Africa.