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Introduction
It’s been four years since Ghanaians went to the presidential polls. The last election in 2020 saw Nana Akufo Addo re-elected to continue his mandate as president for his final term, per the Act of the 1992 constitution.
Ghana’s election 2024 is slated for Dec 7, 2024. It will be the 8th democratic presidential and parliamentary elections. It promises to be keenly contested with the incumbent government, the New Patriotic Party (NPP), seeking re-election for a record third consecutive time.
On the other hand, the major opposition party, the National Democratic Congress (NDC), seeks the mandate to be back in power and steer Ghana’s affairs to a better place after Nana Akufo Addo completes his constitutionally approved second term in office.
The periods before, during, and after elections involve a lot of information manipulation, misinformation, and disinformation. Misinformation and disinformation have been observed to affect election outcomes. It is anticipated that election-related misinformation will easily spread on social media in the period before the election. This is due to the advancement in AI technology that has created deepfakes in other countries.
Also, the World Economic Forum’s Global Risks Report 2024 ranked misinformation and disinformation as the top societal threat in the next two years and fifth-ranked in the next decade. According to the report misinformation and disinformation could trigger “civil unrest and possibly confrontation” because of radical disruption of electoral processes in several economies. For this reason, misinformation and disinformation ranked high as some of the globe’s top priorities.
How can you discern a credible source of information?
Access to the right information from credible sources plays a key role in ensuring that electorates are fed with unbiased information that will enable them to make informed choices in their bidding to elect the right leader.
DUBAWA Ghana ensured through its live elections fact-checking ensured that the Ghanaian information ecosystem was sanitised and devoid of mis/disinformation during the 2020 elections. For 2024, DUBAWA seeks to highlight credible sources to access election-related information as Ghanaians head to the polls in about 5 months. This is important to ensure that Ghanaian voters, especially first-time voters, are alert of perpetrators of misinformation and disinformation who will seek to capitalize on their individual interests.
Electoral Commission of Ghana
1. The Electoral Commission of Ghana (EC) is the primary body responsible for overseeing the electoral process. The Electoral Commission’s platforms are the go-to for official information regarding voter registration, election schedules, polling stations, and election results..
The EC has a vibrant social media presence, where it shares official information with the public. When online users see any ‘controversial’ statements purported to have been released by the EC, it they visit the official communication platforms of the EC for verification.
2. Fact-Checking Organisations: Organisations such as DUBAWA Ghana, Fact-Check Ghana, and GhanaFact play a crucial role in verifying the accuracy of viral information and debunking false claims. Online users are encouraged to visit these organizations’ web pages to read about their latest publications. These organisations can also be contacted to investigate claims.
3. Leading News Websites: Trusted news websites are another critical source of election information. Some reputable news outlets in Ghana that provide comprehensive election coverage are Myjoyonline.com, Graphic.com.gh, and Citinewsroom.com. DUBAWA Ghana has observed a trend on social media where newscards with controversial headlines will have the logos of some popular news outlets. In such situations, online users visit the website of news outlets to confirm if, indeed, they have made such a publication. Also, users can interact with the DUBAWA Chat bot or Fact Check Explorer to verify such issues.
Aside from the ‘fake’ newscards, statements may be attributed to certain presidential candidates or political personalities. In those instances, online users should endeavour to check the official online accounts on the subject or claim for confirmation. Users can check the websites of the political parties, particularly the NPP and the NDC.
Conclusion
As Ghana approaches the December polls, utilising these credible platforms will help voters stay informed and make enlightened decisions. Whether it’s through official updates from the Electoral Commission, fact-checks from dedicated organisations, or comprehensive news coverage from leading websites, these resources are essential for credible election-related information.