Election 2024: Misinformation & disinformation the greatest threats to Ghana’s democracy – Akufo-Addo

President Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo has charged stakeholders in the media industry to take measures that will safeguard the country’s democracy as Ghana readies for the December 7 general elections.

The President says the successes the nation has chalked, following its return to constitutional rule over three decades ago, makes her not a beacon of democracy only in Africa, but to the world at large.

Speaking at the Ghana Report Summit in Accra Thursday, August 01, 2024, the President maintained that spread of misinformation to score political gains undermines the country’s security.

“Today we gather to discuss a topic of great importance to our democracy, dealing with misinformation and information, Election 2024. This discussion is relevant and crucial to preserving the integrity of our democratic process.

“Ghana stands proudly as a beacon of democracy in Africa. Since the return to constitutional rule in 1993, with the promulgation of the Constitution of the Fourth Republic, after three decades of military rule, we’ve conducted eight successful general elections. These elections have resulted in three peaceful transitions of power, showcasing our commitment to democratic principles and the rule of law,” he indicated.

Lauding the “active participation of the citizenry, a robust civil society, and a free media” as the factors that have made it possible for Ghana’s democracy to thrive, the President indicated that the resilience of Ghana’s electoral processes has been the game-changer.

“The peaceful transitions of power is evidenced by the changes in national political leadership in the new Patriotic Party to the National Democratic Congress in Ghana.

“Ghana scores the majority of our democratic institutions in the resilience of our electoral processes. A democratic journey has been made possible by the active participation of the citizenry, a robust civil society, and a free media,”adding that “the peaceful transitions of power is evidenced by the changes in national political leadership between from the New Patriotic Party to the National Democratic Congress in Ghana.”

Based on these, the President cautioned against misinformation and disinformation which has become the main challenge that threatens Ghana’s democracy.

“These elements reinforce collectively 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 to undermine the democratic gains we have made,” he indicated.

Source:onuaonline.com