Journalists from across West Africa and the Sahel have come together to form a new network aimed at promoting agrosylvopastoral and fisheries products in the region.
The Network of Journalists for the Promotion of Agrosylvopastoral Products in West Africa and the Sahel (ReJPAH-AOS) was officially launched during a Constitutive General Assembly held on July 3 and 4 at the Concorde Hotel in Lomé, Togo.
Supported by the West African Association for Cross-Border Trade in Agro-Sylvo-Pastoral and Fisheries Products (AOCTAH), the initiative seeks to strengthen regional agricultural systems, boost cross-border trade, and improve the visibility of grassroots stakeholders through targeted, inclusive, and transformative communication.
At the conclusion of the assembly, an Executive Bureau was elected to oversee the network’s operations. The Bureau, with a renewable five-year mandate, is composed of country representatives who will coordinate ReJPAH-AOS activities at the national level, a communique issued at the end of Congress stated.
Additionally, focal points were appointed to represent the network in member countries not directly included in the Executive Bureau. These representatives span 14 countries including Nigeria, Ghana, Senegal, Mali, Côte d’Ivoire, Burkina Faso, and Chad.
According to the organizers, ReJPAH-AOS will serve as a strategic communication platform to support agricultural transformation and food security across the sub-region, leveraging the power of journalism to bring visibility to rural producers and cross-border commerce.
Country focal persons were also appointed as follows:
TOGO: PODJOLEY Essonana Gilles
BENIN: TOKPNON André
CÔTE D’IVOIRE: YAPO Mireille
BURKINA FASO: SANGARE Dirissa
MALI: BAMADIO Tidiane
GUINEA: SOARE Alpha Ousmane
MAURITANIA: SOYMARE Adama Mamadou
NIGER: BOUBACAR Aminata
LIBERIA: MASSAH Jefferson Togbah
NIGERIA: ABDALLAH El-Kurebe
GHANA: FRIMPONG Rihmond
SENEGAL: SENE Babacar
GAMBIA: JALLOW Amadou
Read the full text of the Communique below:
On July 3 and 4, 2025, the Constitutive General Assembly of the Network of Journalists for the Promotion of Agrosylvopastoral Products in West Africa and the Sahel (ReJPAH-AOS) was held at the Concorde Hotel in Lomé, Togo.
This General Assembly, which brought together delegates from several countries in the sub-region, was made possible with the support of the West African Association for Cross-Border Trade in Agro-Sylvo-Pastoral and Fisheries Products (AOCTAH).
The aim of this initiative is to strengthen cross-border trade and regional agricultural systems, enhance the visibility of local stakeholders, and support agricultural transformation dynamics through specialized, inclusive, and sustainable communication.
At the end of this Constitutive General Assembly, an Executive Bureau was established as the body responsible for implementation and administration. This Bureau carries out the association’s activities based on the directives set by the General Assembly. It is elected for a five-year term, renewable once. The members of this Bureau are the primary representatives of ReJPAH-AOS in their respective countries.
Focal Points were also designated to represent ReJPAH-AOS in countries without an Executive Bureau position. Thus, the Network of Journalists for the Promotion of Agrosylvopastoral and Fisheries Products is represented in member countries by the following individuals:
TOGO: PODJOLEY Essonana Gilles
BENIN: TOKPNON André
CÔTE D’IVOIRE: YAPO Mireille
BURKINA FASO: SANGARE Dirissa
MALI: BAMADIO Tidiane
GUINEA: SOARE Alpha Ousmane
MAURITANIA: SOYMARE Adama Mamadou
NIGER: BOUBACAR Aminata
LIBERIA: MASSAH Jefferson Togbah
NIGERIA: ABDALAH Elkurebe
GHANA: FRIMPONG Rihmond
SENEGAL: SENE Babacar
GAMBIA: JALLOW Amadou
CHAD: ADRAMAN Mahamat
