The media has been highlighted as a powerful force in the global effort to eliminate Neglected Tropical Diseases (NTDs), with stakeholders urging journalists to play a more deliberate role in combating stigma, mobilising resources and shaping inclusive narratives around affected communities.

This call formed part of discussions at a panel session dubbed “Equity, Innovation and Sports: Serving Communities for the Elimination of NTDs”, held during the 4th REMAPSEN Media Forum on NTDs.

Moderated by the National Coordinator for REMAPSEN Ghana and the West/Central Africa Regional Coordinator in charge of Maternal, Newborn and Child Health for REMAPSEN, Emefa Ewoenam Atiamoah-Eli, the panel brought together Sophietou Diop, Partnership Director at Speak Up Africa; Ian Dénagnon Mahinmi, French-Beninese international basketball player and founder of the I AM Foundation; and Roch Christian Johnson, medical adviser at the Raoul Follereau Foundation.

Speaking at the forum, Ms Diop challenged journalists to move beyond conventional reporting and actively engage philanthropists and private-sector players to invest in Africa’s NTD elimination agenda.

She underscored the importance of blending creative and artistic advocacy with sound technical knowledge of NTDs to ensure media campaigns align with elimination targets and deliver tangible results.

For his part, Mr Mahinmi called on the media to harness the unifying power of sports as a strategic tool for resource mobilisation and public education.

He noted that athletes and youth-led initiatives have a unique ability to drive awareness, confront stigma and encourage early detection and treatment-seeking behaviour among affected populations.

According to the international basketball player, leveraging the influence of sports figures can also help unlock new funding streams while reducing discrimination against people living with NTDs.

Mr Johnson, meanwhile, stressed the role of targeted disease screening in preventing stigma and misinformation.

He urged the governments and partners to prioritise psychological support and quality healthcare for vulnerable groups, adding that sustainable financing, attention to social determinants of health and innovative funding mechanisms are critical to reducing the NTD burden across communities.

The 4th REMAPSEN Media Forum on NTDs is being held under the theme “From Neglect to Spotlight: Driving Africa’s Neglected Tropical Diseases Elimination Agenda.”

The forum brings together journalists, health experts, policymakers, researchers and development partners to strengthen media engagement and amplify Africa’s response to NTDs.