The summit, held at the Kempinski Hotel in Accra, convened key stakeholders to confront the escalating threat of misinformation and disinformation as the general elections approach.

President Akufo-Addo began by praising Ghana’s strong democratic history, characterized by eight successful general elections since the reinstatement of constitutional rule in 1993.

He noted that peaceful power transitions between the New Patriotic Party (NPP) and the National Democratic Congress (NDC) have solidified Ghana’s reputation as a stable democracy. However, he cautioned that misinformation and disinformation significantly threaten these democratic achievements.

“Misinformation refers to false or inaccurate information spread unintentionally, while disinformation involves the deliberate dissemination of false information to deceive,” President Akufo-Addo explained. “These false narratives can distort public perception, undermine trust in our institutions, and even incite violence.”

He pointed out that the digital age, with its rapid spread of information, has intensified the challenge. Social media platforms, despite their many benefits, have become hotbeds for the dissemination of false information.

President Akufo-Addo emphasized that misinformation could distort public perceptions of candidates and political parties, leading to uninformed decision-making at the polls.

Additionally, disinformation campaigns often exploit societal divisions, heightening existing tensions and jeopardizing social cohesion.

Drawing from his own experiences, President Akufo-Addo recounted malicious stories that targeted him during the 2008, 2012, and 2016 presidential elections.

According to him, these experiences highlight the critical need to distinguish truth from falsehood and remain vigilant against the dangers of misinformation and disinformation.

To combat these challenges, President Akufo-Addo outlined several measures, such as bolstering regulatory frameworks to hold individuals and organizations accountable for spreading false information.

The framework will have collaborations with technology companies to develop systems for monitoring and curbing the spread of false information on digital platforms.

Meanwhile, citizens will also be educated about the dangers of misinformation and disinformation, whereas media literacy will be promoted to empower voters to make informed decisions.

Supporting fact-checking organizations to verify information and debunk false claims is another essential strategy, Akufo-Addo asserted.

He also stressed the need for all political actors to commit to truthfulness and transparency in their campaigns.

He sounded the caution at Alisa Hotel in Accra on Thursday, July 4, during an engagement with an eminent group formed by the Christian Council of Ghana.

He stressed the critical role of accurate information in maintaining peace and security, urging Ghanaians to verify information before sharing to avoid the harmful effects of misinformation and fake news.

Dr Dampare highlighted the potential dangers of disinformation, stating, “In the current era of rapid information exchange, managing misinformation, disinformation, and fake news is crucial. These issues can cause significant harm if not addressed properly.”

He called on all citizens to interrogate and verify information, encouraging responsible information sharing to preserve the peace that Ghana has long enjoyed.

He emphasised the importance of combating misinformation, noting, “We need to interrogate and verify information before sharing it to avoid spreading falsehoods that could disrupt peace and security.”

The IGP urged religious leaders to support these efforts, suggesting that police officers participate in religious gatherings to share thoughts on election security and address concerns.

The IGP also called for support from religious leaders, proposing that police officers participate in religious gatherings to share thoughts on election security and address concerns.

“We believe that proactive engagement with congregants every week, discussing the importance of peace, security, and proper conduct during elections, will help achieve our goals,” he said.

Dr. Dampare noted that, this proactive engagement would help achieve comprehensive election security and counter the spread of false information.

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