Expert Urges Journalists to Reclaim Africa's Narrative

At the Communicating Africa Summit held in Accra, Professor Audrey Gadzekpo, Dean of the School of Information and Communication Studies at the University of Ghana, urged African communicators to take charge of the continent's narrative. She emphasized the need for more balanced and nuanced storytelling that reflects Africa's complexity and resilience, countering the negative portrayals perpetuated by Western media. Professor Gadzekpo criticized the media's tendency to depict Africans as 'savages,' which she claims has justified the exploitation of Africa's resources. She highlighted the economic repercussions of this negative image, noting that Africa incurs approximately $4.2 billion annually in avoidable interest payments due to its perception as a 'high-risk investment destination.' While acknowledging the importance of reporting on governance failures and societal challenges, she stressed the necessity of context and nuance in storytelling. Drawing on Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie's TED Talk about the dangers of a single narrative, she warned that oversimplified stories can erase diversity and reinforce power imbalances. Professor Gadzekpo's call to action aims to empower African journalists to reshape the global narrative surrounding the continent.