Director-General of Research and Planning of the Ghana Police Service, COP Nathan Kofi Boakye is among key speakers for this year’s World Press Freedom Day commemoration from 2 to 3 May 2019 in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.

COP Kofi Boakye who has over the years enjoyed a good working relationship with the media, will share his experience from the media and security/police dialogue which took place in Nigeria

The event is under the auspices of the International Media Support (IMS) together with Media Foundation for Western Africa (MFWA) under the panel titled, ‘Best practice for enhancing media’s coverage in elections’.

This years’ commemoration of WPFD is jointly organized by UNESCO, the African Union and the Government of Ethiopia, with the involvement of a wide range of partners.

The conference itself will be focused on the theme: “Media for Democracy: Journalism and Elections in Times of Disinformation” while panel discussions fall within the theme: Media’s potential to contribute to a culture of sustainable peace and democracy”

COP Kofi Boakye’s presentation will centre on the dialogue experience seen from the security/police perspective while Nigerian female journalist Kemi Yesufu who was part of the process in Nigeria, will share the experience from the media perspective

A speaker representing the Zimbabwe Elections Commission Simbiso Marimbe, Zimbabwe Programme Manager, and International Media Support on the approach and best practice from IMS & MAZ’s media/elections programme will all be in attendance.

Vivian Affoah of MFWA, would speak on MFWA elections-related language monitoring project that focuses on the issue of media and hate speech during elections, conflict sensitive reporting among others with focus.

Executive Director of IMS, Mr Jesper Højberg will be chairing the meeting.