The Media Foundation for West Africa (MFWA), in partnership with Reporters Without Borders (RSF) and the Hirondelle Foundation (FH), has donated 300 reflective vests to journalists in Guinea-Bissau, with the aim of reinforcing their safety as the country prepares for national elections.
The presentation took place on Friday, November 7, 2025, at the Hotel Dunia in Bissau, as part of the EU-funded project entitled “Promoting and protecting democracy by safeguarding freedom of opinion and expression and combating Mis/disinformation in Guinea-Bissau”.
The distribution of the vests aims to improve visibility and reduce risks for journalists working in potentially volatile environments, including protests, campaign activities and other high-risk electoral missions.
“Safety is a fundamental right and a necessary condition for journalists to serve the public,” said Dr. Daniel Kwame Ampofo Adjei, PMP®, MFWA’s Director of Institutional Development and Monitoring, Evaluation and Learning (MEL), during the handover. “These vests make a practical contribution to protecting reporters and supporting the country’s democratic process.”
The donation was part of a wider event held on the same day, which provided a space for dialogue between journalists, security agencies and civil society organizations on improving security and collaboration during the election period. Participants discussed the risks faced by the media, the need for clear communication channels and ways to ensure accountability when rights violations occur.
The president of SINJOTECS, Indira Correia Baldé, welcomed the initiative and considered it a significant boost for the protection of journalists. He expressed optimism that the commitment shown through dialogue and donation would help to strengthen trust between media actors and security institutions. Mrs. Baldé also thanked the organizers, pointing out that the reflective vests would “significantly increase the safety of journalists working in the field”.
The forum, moderated by Bubacar Turé, president of the Guinean Human Rights League, brought together representatives of key state institutions, including the Ministry of the Interior for Public Order (Public Order Police and Rapid Intervention Police), the Ministry of Defense (National Defense Institute and Armed Forces General Staff), the Ministry of Justice (Judicial Police and Public Prosecutor’s Office) and the National Media Council.
Among those present from the media sector were SINJOTECS (Union of Journalists and Media Technicians), AMPROCS (Association of Women Media Professionals), the Order of Journalists and RENARC (National Network of Community Radios and Televisions).
