The Ghana Fact-checking Coalition has revealed over 100 instances of false publications related to the 2024 elections, highlighting the growing challenge of misinformation in Ghana’s electoral processes.
The findings were disclosed during a press briefing at the Election 2024 Media Situation Room in Accra by the Coalition’s Coordinator, Mr. Kwaku Krobea Asante.
According to the Coalition’s data, 85.3% of the false narratives originated on social media platforms. Television stations accounted for 8.8%, news websites 4.4%, and radio stations 1.5%. The information was collected and analysed over a week, encompassing pre-election, election day, and post-election publications.
The Coalition reported that political parties were the primary targets of misinformation, with the two main presidential candidates, John Dramani Mahama and Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia, being particularly affected. The Electoral Commission (EC) and its officials were also frequent subjects of disinformation campaigns.
“Most of the narratives we monitored under the election integrity at some point targeted the Electoral Commission, its officers, and officials,” Mr. Asante explained.
Recognising the threat posed by disinformation in the lead-up to the elections, the Ghana Fact-checking Coalition was formed to monitor and counter false information.
Mr. Asante emphasised the urgency of improving content moderation and social media regulation in Ghana to curb the spread of false narratives.
“The level of disinformation we observed underscores the need for stronger measures to address the misuse of these platforms during critical national events,” he noted.
The Coalition is preparing a detailed report based on its findings, which will be shared with stakeholders, including policymakers, media organisations, and tech platforms. The aim is to foster discussions on mitigating the impact of disinformation on democratic processes in Ghana.
This revelation underscores the critical role of fact-checking organisations in safeguarding election integrity, as misinformation continues to pose significant challenges to public trust in electoral processes.