We can’t sacrifice our peace on the altar of mis/disinformation — Kan-Dapaah
The Minister of National Security, Hon. Albert Kan-Dapaah, has urged Ghanaians to fulfil their role in safeguarding the nation’s peace and democracy by eschewing misinformation and disinformation.
While speaking at The Ghana Report Summit at the Kempinski Gold Coast Hotel in Accra on Thursday, August 1, 2024, he said citizens must not destroy the stability of the nation as the 2014 elections approach.
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, The Ghana Report Summit unravelled the tactics, exposed dangers, and recommended best practices on information dissemination, especially on social media.
In his address, Mr. Kan-Dapaah said citizens have freedom of speech as a cherished right. However, they must also exercise the responsibility that comes with it. The responsibility, he said, is not to spread falsehoods.
“Freedom of speech is a cherished right, but it must come with a responsibility. It must be the responsibility not to spread falsehoods.
“We must not sacrifice our peace. We must not destroy the stability of our country on the altar of misinformation and disinformation,” he stressed.
He further charged the media to educate and inform the masses, devoid of falsehoods, at this crucial time when Ghana’s democracy is under severe scrutiny.
“Media outlets at all times must uphold the highest ethical standards of journalism, emphasising fact-checking, balanced reporting, and objective analysis, devoid, totally devoid of agenda that will destabilise our nation,” he stressed.
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Mr. Kan-Dapaah also emphasised the importance of announcing accurate election results, as misinformation and disinformation during that crucial period could be detrimental to the nation’s peace.
Background
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.
Themed: “Dealing with Misinformation and Disinformation – Election 2024”, the maiden summit 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.
Speakers and participants highlighted strategies, revealed risks, and presented best practices for sharing information in Ghana’s digital space.
The summit featured prominent personalities such as President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo and His Royal Majesty Ga Mantse King Tackie Teiko Tsuru II.
Other speakers and personalities were the Inspector General of Police (IGP), Dr. George Akuffo Dampare, and former national security coordinator, Larry Gbevlo-Lartey.
It also featured Minister of Information, Fatimatu Abubakar; Director of Elections and ICT of NDC, Dr. Edward Omane Boamah; spokesperson for former President John Mahama, Joyce Bawah Motgari and the 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; the founder of Global Media Alliance, Amb Edward Boateng; IT manager, National Signals Bureau, John Tandoh; CEO of KomsKraft Consult, Gayheart Mensah and CEO of PopOut Digital Solutions, Maximus Ametorgoh.