DO NOT COMPROMISE ACCURACY FOR SPEED

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Public Forum on Misinformation, Peace and Democratic Consolidation in Ghana

The Media Foundation for West Africa ( MFWA) in collaboration with the National Peace Council (NPC), and the National Media Commission (NMC) organised a public forum on the theme: Misinformation, Peace and Democratic Consolidation in Ghana. The Forum came off at Alisa Hotel on Wednesday, march 22, 2023.  The forum was chaired by Prof. S.K.B Asante, Omanhene of Asante Asokore and Board Member of the National Peace Council, bringing together stakeholders from government, political parties, members of the diplomatic community, academia and civil society.



Keynote Speaker of the Forum, Mr.George Sarpong - Executive Secretary at National Media Commission 

Executive Secretary of the National Media Commission (NMC), Mr. George Sarpong, said the time had come for a law to be enacted which would find a balance between the protection of freedom of speech and dealing with national security threats.








He added that the regulation will be done democratically. 

“ The idea that is not democratic or democracy does not regulate social media platforms is not true”  “We should not let any blood drop before we address the issue of media literacy” 



 

A panel discussion was held as a component of the forum by Evans Mensah of Joy News with four selected key stakeholders to share their perspectives on the theme.



 

The panels that discussed and examined the misinformation issues in Ghana were representatives of the two major political parties in Ghana. Mr. Alhassan Suhiyini, Member of Parliament for Tamale North represented the opposition National Democratic Congress (NDC), and Mr. Richard Ahiagba - Director of Communications for the ruling New Patriotic Party (NPP).





A Panel Discussion was held as part of the forum to throw more light on misinformation and disinformation issues in Ghana 


Mr. Suhiyini said sacrificing accuracy for speed as far as traditional media was concerned had increased disinformation and thereby reduced trust in traditional media.


 

Another panellist, Kwaku Krobea Asante, the Lead Fact-checker of the Media Foundation For West Africa (MFWA), asserted that with trends in fact-checking, Ghanaian politicians were among the worst offenders of misinformation, particularly during election periods.




 

Mr. Ahiagba, also agreed that even though politicians in Ghana were involved in spreading false information, they should not be held solely responsible.





For his part, a lecturer at the Kofi Annan International Peacekeeping Training Centre (KAIPTC), Dr. Victor Doke, expressed concern that Ghana was unaware of the actual dangers of misinformation relating to the series of events which took place during Nigeria’s 2023 election. He, therefore, cautioned that the country’s elections should serve as a warning to the nation.




 

Mr. Suhiyini also urged the government to put more pressure on large digital firms like Meta, the owner of Facebook and WhatsApp, to ensure the veracity of the material that was shared on their platforms.





Some dignitaries and participants who were present at the Forum



After the discussions, the opportunity was given for questions to be asked and some audience questioned if Ghana's government would be able to control these multinational tech titans.



 

In his affirmative response, Mr. Sarpong disclosed that regulation would soon be announced in the country to take care of all the concerns raised.



Professor. S.B.K Asante. Omanhene Of Asante Asokore and Board Member of National Peace Council, Chairman of the Forum

Prof. S.K.B Asante in his closing remarks warned that misinformation “does not enhance good governance and can lead to civil war.”




Story by. Richard Mawuvi Doe, Joyce Yamble, Cindy Seyram Lanyo, Jennifer Eyram Anchor


 

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