Source: enterprisebureau.org
On March 22nd, the Media Foundation for West Africa (MFWA) in collaboration with the National Peace Council (NPC) and the National Media Commission (NMC) recently held an event at Alisa Hotel in Accra, to discuss the impact of misinformation on the peace and democratic consolidation in the country.
The aim of the event was to examine the role of misinformation in undermining peace and democratic consolidation in Ghana and to discuss possible strategies for addressing the issue. In recent years, Ghana has seen a rise in the spread of false information and fake news, which has led to widespread confusion, tension, and even violence in some cases
The event was attended by local journalists, civil society organizations, CSO’s, social media influencers and government officials, who shared their perspective on issues of misinformation and how it can negatively affect Ghana’s democratic processes.
The keynote speaker for the event was the Executive Secretary of the National Media Commission, George Sarpong, who highlighted the need for journalists, social media influencers and the media in general, to adhere to ethical standards and be vigilant in verifying information before reporting it.
He also stressed on the importance of media literacy, as many Ghanaians lack the necessary skills to critically evaluate information and distinguish between fact, fiction and lie.
Other speakers at the event discussed the role of social media in spreading misinformation and the need for citizens to be cautious when consuming and sharing information online.
The event also featured a panel discussion, which allowed attendees to ask questions and engage with the speakers. Overall, the event provided a platform for stakeholders to come together and discuss the important issue of misinformation and its impact on Ghana’s democracy
In his closing remarks, the chair for the event, and board member of the National Peace Council Professor Nana SKB. Asante expressed his appreciation to all the participants for their contributions and emphasized the need for continued collaboration and dialogue in addressing the issue of misinformation in Ghana.
In conclusion, the Media Foundation for West Africa’s (MFWA) event on Misinformation, peace and democratic consolidation in Ghana was a valuable opportunity for stakeholders to share their perspectives on this critical issue. As Ghana continues to consolidate its democracy, it is essential that steps are taken to combat misinformation and ensure that accurate information is disseminated to the public.
