The Ghana Report Summit: Akufo-Addo announces 5 bold measures to curb fake news
To combat the rapid spread of false information, President Nana Akufo-Addo has announced five counter-measures, including a National Action Plan for Misinformation and Disinformation.
The comprehensive plan outlines strategic steps to address the spread of false information, defend the country’s democratic processes, and promote an informed and engaged citizenry.
President Akufo-Addo, whose administration has been an active campaigner in promoting a free and vibrant media landscape, made this known at the maiden edition of The Ghana Report Summit on Thursday, August 1, 2024, at the Kempinski Hotel in Accra.
The summit, on the theme “Dealing with Misinformation and Disinformation – Election 2024”, brought together thought leaders, policymakers, media professionals, and technology experts to address the challenges associated with information disorder in the Ghanaian media space going into the crucial elections.
In addition to the action plan, the government intends to enhance legal and regulatory frameworks, launch public awareness campaigns, embark on media literacy, and collaborate with technology companies to address the menace.
Highlighting the potential dangers of misinformation and disinformation, especially as the country gears towards the December 7 general elections, the president noted that the digital space constantly evolves, bringing new challenges.
“The digital age has transformed the way information is disseminated and consumed. While this has brought numerous benefits, it has also created fertile grounds for misinformation and disinformation. Social media platforms, in particular, have become hot spots for the rapid dissemination of false information.
“The impact of misinformation and disinformation on the electoral processes cannot be exaggerated. False information can skew public perception of candidates and political parties, leading to uninformed decision-making at the polls,” he said.
He stressed that campaigns based on misinformation often exploit societal divisions and amplify existing tensions, posing a significant risk to social cohesion and potentially inciting violence while disrupting public order.
“As we approach the 2024 general elections, we have to address these challenges head-on. We should take proactive measures to curb the spread of false information and ensure that the public has access to accurate and reliable information,” he urged.
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Reiterating his commitment to ensuring a free, fair, and credible election, the president assured the populace that the polls would be conducted peacefully, transparently, and credibly.
Organised by The Ghana Report, a subsidiary of I-ZAR Group, winner of the 2019 Best News Portal of the Year as well as the Best Portal in Corporate Social Responsibilities at the 25th Ghana Journalists Association (GJA) awards, The Ghana Report Summit unravelled the tactics, exposed dangers, and recommended best international practices on information dissemination, especially on social media.
About The Ghana Report Summit
The Ghana Report Summit brought together about 300 participants and speakers to address the challenges associated with disseminating information in the Ghanaian media space, particularly social media, as the country prepares for the crucial 2024 elections.
The summit, organised by The Ghana Report, a subsidiary of I-ZAR Group, and the 2019 Best News Portal of the Year/Best Portal in Corporate Social Responsibilities at the 25th Ghana Journalists Association (GJA) Awards, featured prominent personalities such as President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo, National Security Minister Albert Kan-Dapaah and the Inspector General of Police (IGP), Dr. George Akuffo Dampare, as speakers.
It also featured former national security coordinator, Larry Gbevlo-Lartey; Director of Elections and ICT of NDC, Dr. Edward Omane Boamah; Spokesperson to Former President John Mahama, Joyce Bawah Motgari; and Chairperson of the National Commission for Civic Education (NCCE), Kathleen Addy.
Others were the Regional Manager of Csquared West Africa, Estelle Akofio-Sowah; former president of GJA, Roland Affail Monney; and the founder of Global Media Alliance Ambassador Edward Boateng; IT manager, National Signals Bureau, John Tandoh; CEO of KomsKraft Consult, Gayheart Mensah and CEO of PopOut Digital Solutions, Maximus Ametorgoh.
Also in attendance were guests from various diplomatic missions, government officials, academia, non-governmental organizations (NGOs), civil society groups, religious bodies, and media organizations.