Media Leaders and Diplomats Call for Deeper African Integration and Solutions-Driven Discourse at ‘Under the Baobab’ Launch

In a significant move to bolster public discourse across West Africa, Channel One TV has partnered with Deutsche Welle (DW) to launch the acclaimed programme ‘Under the Baobab’ in Ghana. The launch event, held in Accra under the theme “Beyond the Welcome: Migration, Xenophobia and Belonging in Africa,” brought together policymakers, students, and media stakeholders to address the continent's most pressing social and political challenges. The partnership aims to provide a platform for candid dialogue, focusing on the complexities of African identity and the shared experiences of its people.

Bernard Avle, General Manager of Channel One TV and Citi FM, emphasized that the collaboration is rooted in a shared commitment to strengthening democracy through independent media. He noted that the programme is specifically designed to give young Africans a voice in shaping the continent's future, encouraging youth from diverse backgrounds to move beyond passive observation and engage actively in public discourse. DW’s Asumpta Lattus echoed these sentiments, praising the initiative as a vital space for celebrating African perspectives and fostering the rational debate necessary for modern democratic stability.

Adding a diplomatic and economic lens to the discussion, Ambassador Harold Adlai Agyeman highlighted the urgent need for deeper economic integration to unlock Africa’s collective potential. Pointing to the continent's combined GDP of approximately US$3.5 trillion, Agyeman argued that fragmentation remains a primary hurdle to prosperity. He championed the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) as a critical tool for expansion and urged nations to view migration not as a societal problem, but as a historical driver of development. He called for the cultivation of a shared African identity to better tackle unemployment and improve public services across borders.

This call for active participation was mirrored in Nigeria, where veteran actor Richard Mofe-Damijo (RMD) urged citizens to transition from mere critics to solution providers. Speaking at the 2026 Pivot Nigeria Conference in Lagos, RMD described the nation as a "work in progress" and reminded citizens that their individual conduct directly shapes the international image of their country. He stressed that holding leaders accountable must be paired with personal responsibility and collective patience to drive meaningful national development.

Together, these developments signal a growing movement across the sub-region toward more inclusive and proactive civic engagement. By combining media platforms that empower the youth with diplomatic efforts toward economic unity, leaders are seeking to create a more stable and prosperous Africa. The debut episode of ‘Under the Baobab’ is set to further these goals by exploring the lived realities of migration and the evolving sense of belonging among Africans in a rapidly changing global landscape.