Today, June 13, 2025, marks a significant milestone for the African Network of Journalists for the Promotion of Health and the Environment (REMAPSEN) as it celebrates its fifth anniversary.

Since its founding in 2020, REMAPSEN has grown into a formidable coalition of journalists and media professionals from around 40 African countries, united in their mission to promote public awareness and media advocacy on pressing health and environmental issues.

In a commemorative message, President of REMAPSEN, Bamba Youssouf, commended the network's members for their dedication and tireless work over the past five years.

"This is an opportunity for me to thank each member of our young organization for the work accomplished in raising awareness and advocacy in such a short time," Youssouf stated.

Founded at the height of the COVID-19 pandemic, REMAPSEN emerged from the urgent need for reliable, science-based information on public health and the environment.

Since then, the network has been instrumental in spearheading continent-wide media campaigns on issues ranging from pandemic preparedness and vaccination awareness to climate change, pollution, and sustainable development.

Among REMAPSEN's notable achievements are:

• Extensive training programmes for African journalists on science and environmental reporting.
• Partnerships with the WHO, UNEP, and local NGOs to produce investigative stories on climate resilience and disease outbreaks.
• Nationwide campaigns on malaria prevention, water sanitation, and the health implications of mining and deforestation.
• The launch of an online multimedia platform for sharing verified information and educational resources on health and environmental issues.

Youssouf noted that while the first five-year phase was focused on building the network's foundation, the next stage will prioritise asserting REMAPSEN’s leadership across the continent.

“While the first five-year term of our network was dedicated to organising and implementing REMAPSEN in its member countries, the second will be dedicated to reaffirming its leadership,” he said.

According to him, “indeed, the media, still considered the fourth estate, must now assume their responsibilities in informing populations in the face of the emergence of new pandemics, such as COVID-19 in 2020.”

Looking ahead, REMAPSEN plans to launch a pan-African media monitoring unit to ensure the spread of factual, life-saving information and to combat health and environmental misinformation.

The organisation also intends to expand its support for investigative journalism initiatives tackling illegal waste dumping, air and water pollution, and the health effects of climate-induced migration.

In his closing remarks, Youssouf made a clarion call to action:

“I urge all African media outlets to strengthen their commitment to a continent where every person has a legal right to accurate and truthful information in the areas of health and the environment. Africa will be better for it.”

As REMAPSEN celebrates its fifth anniversary, the organisation remains committed to its founding vision: an Africa where empowered media professionals serve as catalysts for public health, environmental stewardship, and sustainable development.