Minister for Information, Kojo Oppong Nkrumah, has called for a collective action in combating the escalating menace of misinformation and disinformation in the country and across Africa.
Speaking at the Impact of Disinformation on Electoral Integrity, Peace, and Security in Africa Forum held in Accra on Thursday, October 19, 2023, Mr. Oppong Nkrumah called for an all-hands-on-deck approach to addressing the challenges posed by false information.
"Today, as we delve into the multifaceted impacts of false information on our democratic processes and peace, let’s bear in mind that the challenges are real, but the solutions are within our reach through collective effort.
“We must unite to safeguard the principles of democracy, ensure the integrity of our electoral processes, and protect the peace we cherish in Ghana and across Africa," emphasized Mr. Oppong Nkrumah.
The forum, which brought together esteemed figures such as the Ministers for Foreign Affairs and Regional Integration, Shirley Ayorkor Botchway, National Security Minister Albert Kan Dapaah, Communication and Digitalization Minister Ursula Owusu, Electoral Commission Chairperson Jean Mensah, and Secretary-General of the International Institute for Democracy and Electoral Assistance, Kevin Cases Zamora, highlighted the urgency of addressing misinformation and disinformation.
Madam Botchway, on her part, acknowledged Ghana's democratic strides while expressing concern about the growing issue of misinformation and disinformation. She stressed the necessity of collective action to combat this threat effectively.
Minister Dapaah drew attention to the regional implications of false information, linking it to an increased occurrence of coup d'états in the West African sub-region. He emphasized the importance of addressing misinformation and disinformation to safeguard the stability of democratic nations in the region.
Jean Mensah, Chairperson of the Electoral Commission, shared insights from Ghana's electoral processes and recognized the role of social media. However, she emphasized the need for a structured framework to guide the responsible use of social media during elections.
Mr. Zamora underscored the significance of stakeholder engagement and civic education as crucial tools in countering misinformation and disinformation. Raising awareness about the harmful effects of these issues, he argued, is fundamental to mitigating their impact.
The forum served as a pivotal platform for experts and stakeholders to collaborate and devise strategies aimed at ensuring electoral integrity, peace, and security in Ghana and the broader African context.
