Monrovia, Liberia – A three-day workshop led by 15 African Member States has begun in Liberia with the goal of improving Risk Communication and Community Engagement (RCCE) and bolstering regional health security.
Held under the theme “Strengthening Risk Communication and Community Engagement System for Effective Public Health Emergency Preparedness and Response,” the workshop will conclude on Thursday, June 19, 2025, having begun on Tuesday, June 17, 2025, at the Cape Hotel in Monrovia.
In addition to explaining how RCCE helps boost Africa’s response to public health emergencies, participants will learn how to handle rumors, myths, and misinformation during public health emergencies during the three-day sessions.
During the workshop’s opening remarks on Tuesday, June 17, 2025, Dr. Kokuo Alinon, Africa CDC Regional Director, We come together at a time when a resurgent threat mpox is testing our region once more. There has been a concerning rise in mpox cases recorded in a number of West African nations in recent months.
He asserted that the Mpox epidemic is a call to action as well as a warning of the continued susceptibility to infectious illnesses, noting that communities face the social risk of stigma, fear, and disinformation in addition to the biological danger of transmission.
Dr. Alinon clarified that although a lack of information flow in some nations has allowed conjecture to fill the void, in others, incorrect rumors that associate mpox with witchcraft, moral decay, or vaccination conspiracies have impeded early discovery and action.
RCCE can save lives in this situation. The results are always better when communities are informed, involved, and prepared to take action. “We lead when we listen,” he continued.
According to the Africa CDC Regional Director, RCCE is essential to epidemic response and preparedness and is not a side project. It is what ties science and society together, fosters trust between institutions and communities, and makes sure that the right message is conveyed by the right people at the right time.
“This workshop is an important development. We will align our national priorities with the West Africa Regional RCCE Strategy (2024-2028), strengthen practical skills in social listening and infodemic management, reflect on lessons learned from country experiences, and most importantly launch a Community of Practice that will help us stay connected, share resources, and learn from each other outside of this room over the course of the next three days,” he said.
Dr. Catherine Thomas Cooper, the Deputy Minister of Health for Liberia, informed the audience that the country and the region had recently encountered serious public health issues, such as the devastating COVID-19 and Ebola outbreaks.
According to Dr. Cooper, the experiences have highlighted how crucial it is to manage the public health emergency and advance population health in general via good communication and community involvement.
According to her, the nation’s distinct physical, social, economic, and cultural setting offers both opportunities and problems for risk communication initiatives. As a result, Liberia has learnt from its previous health crises, according to the country’s deputy minister of health.
In order to improve health outcomes, boost public trust in various systems, and increase the capacity to manage health challenges ineffectively, the nation aims to bolster readiness for future challenges and build a more robust and inclusive ecosystem in West Africa, she explained.
The meeting highlights the 15 African Member States’ shared commitment to bolstering the region’s health security through improved Risk Communication and Community Engagement (RCCE), according to Madam Marianne Bonkano Laurent Comlan, Executive Director of the ECOWAS Regional Centre for Surveillance and Disease Control (RCSDC). She also noted that RCCE is a key component of efficient health emergency preparedness and response.
She said the RCCE empowers communities, fosters trust, and makes it easier for correct information to be disseminated promptly all of which are essential in halting current epidemics of Lassa Fever, Mpox, Measles, and Cholera as well as averting future emergencies.
“In the course of our job, we also have to deal with the problem of infodemics, which are epidemics of information, misinformation, and disinformation that can sabotage our public health initiatives. These dangers not only jeopardize health results but also increase stigma and undermine public confidence. We must use efficient communication techniques, encourage community involvement, and create robust information ecosystems in order to manage this infodemic,” Madam Comlan stated.
She stated that the three days’ strategic initiatives, such as the Regional Strategy on RCCE (2024–2028), are intended to promote cooperation between countries and partners, enhance capacities, and unify approaches.
Madam Comlan praised Africa CDC for the outstanding accomplishments of the Executive Members of the ECOWAS RCCE, noting that their strategic leadership and unshakable commitment have effectively promoted strong engagement with partners like Africa CDC.
Reported by: Prince Saah
