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Africa CDC Launches Initiative too Empower Health Storytellers
The Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (Africa CDC) has announced a notable program designed to equip a new generation of communicators with the skills to effectively convey public health challenges across the continent. This initiative will provide participants with comprehensive training, including technical instruction, hands-on field surveys, and immersive experiences alongside public health experts. Beneficiaries will also gain access to exclusive resources, practical workshops, and opportunities for visits to leading international institutions.
Margaret Edwin, Africa CDC’s Director of Interaction and Public Facts, emphasized the critical need for this program, stating, “We require a new cohort of storytellers who can analyze the continent’s health challenges with both precision and empathy.”
The urgency of this initiative is underscored by stark realities. According to United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) data, Africa bears 25% of the global disease burden but possesses only 1.3% of the world’s health personnel. African nations face a dual challenge: combating endemic infectious diseases like HIV/AIDS, malaria, and tuberculosis, while concurrently addressing the escalating prevalence of chronic conditions such as diabetes, cardiovascular diseases, and cancers. Compounding these issues are the persistent threats posed by emerging infectious diseases, including Ebola, Lassa fever, and mpox.
Beyond these visible health crises, the continent is grappling with the pervasive “disinformation virus.” With 320 million mobile internet subscribers in sub-Saharan Africa, as reported by GSMA, platforms like WhatsApp, Facebook, X (formerly Twitter), and TikTok have become primary information sources. However, these same platforms are also conduits for rumors, manipulated videos, and disinformation campaigns. During the COVID-19 pandemic, as a notable example, false narratives about vaccines, including unfounded claims of surveillance fleas, circulated widely, undermining vaccination efforts in numerous countries. This influx of misinformation erodes public trust in health authorities, disrupts emergency response mechanisms, and can ultimately endanger lives. Thus, training journalists to rigorously, pedagogically, and responsibly debunk these harmful narratives is a strategic imperative.
Applications for this program are open until August 14, 2025.
Servan Ahougnon
