The Ghana office of the Konrad Adenauer Stiftung (KAS) has organized a breakfast meeting to address the growing challenge of misinformation, disinformation, and their impact on security and democracy in West Africa.
The event, held on March 4, 2024, brought together foreign and local scholars in information and communication technology, artificial intelligence (AI), scientists, and members of civil society organizations.
Under the theme “The Information Battlefield: Misinformation, Disinformation, and Their Impact on Security in West Africa,” the event, dubbed “Ma Ye Nkasa,” outlined the critical issues surrounding the spread of false information and explored potential solutions.
The KAS Foundation, whose values and principles are rooted in democracy, rule of law, and social justice, organized the event to highlight the detrimental role of misinformation in politics and governance.
The discussion also traced the historical roots of information distortion in Ghana’s political landscape.
A notable example cited was the ongoing debate about Ghana’s democratic history, particularly whether the Aborigines’ Rights Protection Society (ARPS) was founded on August 4, 1897, as some official government documents claim, or whether it was established on a different date and location in Cape Coast, and whether there was a 100 years clause or condition in the bond of 1844.
Participants noted that misinformation and disinformation in elections today no longer affect only political parties but also mislead voters, causing them to make decisions based on falsehoods rather than factual party manifestos.
In her opening remarks, the KAS Country Director, Ms. Anna Lena Sabroso-Wasserfall, welcomed participants and emphasized the importance of the event’s theme.
She expressed concern over the rampant spread of misinformation and disinformation in national and socio-economic discourse, particularly in the age of social media and AI.
She urged stakeholders to intensify public sensitization, cross-check facts, and differentiate between opinions and factual information before sharing content.
Failure to do so, she warned, could contribute to the growing problem of misinformation, disinformation, and malinformation.
Speaking at the event, Nana Yaa Ansua, Secretary of the National Queen Mothers Platform, emphasized that their direct engagement with the public positions them as key stakeholders in addressing false narratives that threaten governance, peace, and national security.
She highlighted their role in educating communities, mediating conflicts, leveraging social media to counter false information, collaborating with NGOs and government agencies, and empowering women and youth with critical thinking skills.
By harnessing their authority, networks, and communication skills, Queen Mothers can be effective allies in curbing the spread of misinformation and disinformation, especially during elections and periods of heightened political activity.
Dr. James Kwabena Bomfeh Jnr, the keynote speaker, provided an extensive historical perspective on disinformation and its consequences. He highlighted how disinformation has distorted historical facts about governance, democracy, and political history.
He pointed out that even in the UK, authorities struggle to balance freedom of expression with efforts to curb misinformation, disinformation, and malinformation, which can promote hate speech, radicalism, and social unrest.
Dr. Bomfeh cited the 2024 Canada election report, which estimated that global economies lose billions of dollars annually due to false information.
He further outlined the harmful effects of information distortion, including eroding public trust in elections, government institutions, and private organizations, thereby posing a significant threat to democracy.
By undermining good governance, disinformation weakens confidence in governments, businesses, and civil society. He warned that the issue is becoming an Achilles’ heel in global governance.
Quoting philosopher Gianni Vattimo’s 2014 observation that “we now live in a paradox where much of the current information is false, and most of the things we hear are twisted,” Dr. Bomfeh lamented that truth is increasingly subject to manipulation.
He explained that the battle over information is driven by agenda-setting tactics, where different interest groups push narratives that serve their objectives.
He noted that, during elections, many voters are influenced by misinformation and disinformation, leading to electoral outcomes that do not necessarily reflect voters’ true intentions.
This, he said, creates a situation where misinformation distorts electoral verdicts, making them resemble a “stolen mandate.”
The rapid evolution of social media, coupled with weak regulatory frameworks, further exacerbates the problem.
According to Ghana’s 2020 National Security Strategy, cyberspace threats—including fake news and hate speech—have resulted in Ghanaian digital addresses being blacklisted on international financial payment systems.
This underscores the urgency of addressing misinformation and disinformation at both national and global levels.
Dr. Bomfeh noted that misinformation and disinformation peak during political campaigns, as political actors exploit false narratives to advance their interests.
He pointed out that the incentive to be dishonest in political discourse is often stronger than the incentive to be truthful. Combating this challenge requires a collective effort.
He urged individuals to read widely and avoid sharing social media posts without fact-checking, even when the source seems credible.
He also emphasized the need for elected government officials to be the primary sources of communication and recommended that appointments to regulatory positions be based on integrity and credibility.
Additionally, he called for stricter regulations on media and online platforms, arguing that there must be clear boundaries to prevent the reckless spread of misinformation.
He proposed stronger legal frameworks to hold individuals accountable for defamation and slander, ensuring that those who spread falsehoods face severe penalties to deter others from engaging in similar acts.
The event concluded with a roundtable discussion, where participants had the opportunity to ask questions and engage with the lead presenters on various aspects of the topic.
The discussions highlighted the importance of collective responsibility in tackling misinformation and safeguarding democratic governance in Ghana and beyond.