President Nana Akufo-Addo has revealed that a National Action Plan is being developed to tackle disinformation and misinformation in preparation for Ghana’s 2024 General Election.
The initiative aims to curb the spread of false information to safeguard the integrity of the electoral process and reinforce national unity, peace, and stability.
President Akufo-Addo emphasized the government’s commitment to maintaining Ghana’s reputation as a leading democracy in sub-Saharan Africa and protecting the integrity of state institutions responsible for overseeing the elections.
Speaking at ‘The Ghana Report Summit’ in Accra, themed “Dealing with Misinformation and Disinformation – Election 2024,” the President highlighted the importance of addressing misleading and deceptive narratives with significant implications for the upcoming elections.
The summit brought together experts, including policymakers, technologists, civil society organizations, security professionals, and media representatives, to explore strategies for countering the challenges posed by the proliferation of disinformation in the digital age.
In an era of widespread Internet connectivity and social media platforms that facilitate the spread of false information, President Akufo-Addo noted the potential risks of instability, discontent, and threats to electoral integrity.
He emphasized the need to filter misleading content without infringing on freedom of expression and stressed the importance of fact-checking and verifying information.
Organized by The Ghana Report, a subsidiary of the I-ZAR Group, the summit aimed to identify effective strategies, recognize potential dangers, and promote best practices for managing information, particularly on social media.
President Akufo-Addo urged all stakeholders to remain vigilant and contribute to preserving Ghana’s democratic gains.
He also called on the media to uphold professional standards in their reporting, reminding journalists of their critical role in shaping public opinion as the country approaches the elections.
National Security Minister Mr. Albert Kan-Dapaah stated that the 2024 elections would test the nation’s democratic resilience.
He assured that security agencies would strictly enforce Ghana’s laws to ensure peace and stability during the electoral process.
