Media literacy must become democracy’s defence against misinformation – Shamima Muslim

George Sarpong, Executive Secretary of the National Media Commission, who delivered the keynote address on “Defending Democracy in the Age of Disinformation,” supported the call for stronger information systems, warning that democratic progress in West Africa faced growing pressures.

Felix Kwakye Ofosu, Minister of State for Government Communications and Presidential Spokesperson, at the Ghana Media Summit in Accra, Madam Muslim said the growing threat of false information, especially through digital platforms and artificial intelligence (AI), required citizens to develop the ability to access, analyse, verify and responsibly use information.

Madam Muslim also said information integrity had become a national security issue, explaining that false information could influence elections, incite violence, weaken public health efforts, damage businesses, divide communities and undermine confidence in the state without a single bullet being fired.