BudgIT Ghana, in collaboration with Civicus, has launched a comprehensive initiative aimed at addressing the spread of misinformation ahead of the country’s 2024 elections.
The project, titled “Roadmap for 2024 Elections: Improving Transparency and Combating Electoral Fraud in Ghana,” seeks to empower citizens, particularly women and the youth, with the tools to identify and counteract disinformation.
Speaking at a workshop in Accra, BudgIT Ghana’s Country Director, Jennifer Moffat, highlighted the critical need for enhanced public awareness in an increasingly digital electoral environment.
“Misinformation poses a direct threat to Ghana’s democracy,” Ms Moffat noted, stressing the project’s focus on equipping participants with fact-checking tools such as Google Fact Check and reverse image search to verify the authenticity of information shared online.
As part of the initiative, the “Defenders’ Manual” was launched, providing a detailed guide on citizen engagement, fact-checking techniques, and the dangers of spreading false information.
The project also introduced an election incident reporting platform and launched an essay competition aimed at encouraging university students to scrutinize political manifestos.
With the digital landscape becoming an essential battleground for electoral integrity, the project aims to curb the spread of disinformation that could erode public trust and destabilize the election process.
Ms Moffat underscored that while the tools are crucial for elections, they are equally vital in ensuring responsible information-sharing beyond the December 7 polls.
The initiative by BudgIT Ghana represents a proactive effort to safeguard Ghana’s democratic process, building on the importance of informed civic participation as the country approaches a highly anticipated election.
Source:norvanreports.com