- Akufo-Addo commits to peaceful 2024 elections.
- Warns against misinformation and disinformation.
- Government to launch nationwide anti-misinformation program.
- Media urged to prioritize fact-checking.
President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo has reaffirmed his commitment to ensuring a peaceful electoral process and transfer of power in the 2024 general elections. Speaking at the Ghana Report Summit in Accra, President Akufo-Addo emphasized the need for a peaceful process, citing Ghana’s democracy as a beacon for Africa and the world.
He highlighted the country’s history of peaceful transitions of power, from the New Patriotic Party (NPP) to the National Democratic Congress (NDC) and back, as evidence of the maturity of Ghana’s democratic institutions. President Akufo-Addo also praised the active participation of citizens, a robust civil society, and a free media, which collectively reinforce Ghana’s reputation as a stable democratic nation.
However, he noted that the growing challenge of misinformation and disinformation threatens to undermine Ghana’s democratic gains. To combat this, President Akufo-Addo called on the media and all citizens to remain vigilant ahead of the 2024 elections.
He announced that the government has initiated dialogue with stakeholders and is set to roll out a nationwide program to combat misinformation and disinformation. The National Security Minister, Albert Kan-Dapaah, also emphasized the need for the media to uphold the highest level of professionalism and caution in their programs and activities ahead of the election.
Kan-Dapaah warned that media outlets must prioritize fact-checking, balanced reporting, and objective analysis to avoid serving as agents of misinformation. By taking proactive measures to curb the spread of misinformation, Ghana can ensure a peaceful and credible electoral process in 2024.
