President Akufo-Addo has reiterated his dedication to ensuring a smooth electoral process and peaceful transition of power in the upcoming 2024 general elections.
He underscored the significance of a peaceful process, highlighting that Ghana’s democracy serves as an example for both Africa and the global community.
Speaking at the Ghana Report Summit in Accra, themed “Dealing with Misinformation and Disinformation – Election 2024,” President Akufo-Addo urged the media and all citizens to be vigilant against the spread of misinformation and disinformation, stressing their potential impact on the elections.
“The peaceful transition of power, evidenced by the changes in the national political leadership from the New Patriotic Party (NPP) to the National Democratic Congress (NDC) and back, underscores the maturity of our democratic institutions and the resilience of our electoral process,” he said.
“Our democratic journey has been made possible by the active participation of the citizenry, a robust civil society, and a free media. These elements collectively reinforce Ghana’s reputation as a stable democratic nation. It is within this context that we must address the growing challenge of misinformation and disinformation, which threatens and undermines the democratic gains we have made,” President Akufo-Addo added.
The President called on the public and relevant stakeholders to take proactive measures to curb the spread of misinformation.
He revealed that the government has begun dialogue with stakeholders and is preparing to launch a nationwide programme to tackle misinformation and disinformation.
“I’m pleased to announce that the government is in the process of a national action plan to combat misinformation and disinformation. This plan is currently before the cabinet for its consideration and action,” he stated.
Additionally, National Security Minister Albert Kan-Dapaah urged the media to uphold the highest standards of professionalism and caution in their reporting and programming ahead of the election.
He highlighted the role media could play in either spreading or combating misinformation.
“Media outlets must at all times uphold the highest ethical standards of journalism, emphasising fact-checking, balanced reporting, and objective analysis, totally devoid of regime change agendas that could destabilise our nation,” Albert Kan-Dapaah said.