3 months ago
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Executive Secretary of the National Peace Council, Mr George Amoh, has called on Ghanaians to remain vigilant about the threats of terrorism and violence affecting West Africa.
According to him, violence in neighbouring countries can spill over into Ghana, affecting its security and stability and also lead to an influx of refugees, creating economic and social challenges.
Speaking at a forum organised by the Media Foundation for West Africa (MEFWA) in Accra yesterday, he emphasised the importance of countering polarisation to safeguard the country’s democracy.
“Democracy worldwide is under threat, with hate speech and divisive comments being key drivers of violence,” Mr Amoh stated and urged forces of peace to unite and counter the narratives undermining democratic gains in Africa.
The forum, on the theme “Countering hate speech and polarisation narratives to foster democratic consolidation and peace in Ghana,” highlighted the urgent need to address these issues.
Mr Amoh called for continued efforts to promote peace and discourage abusive language to maintain national cohesion.
Queen Mother of Offinso Kayera, Nana Ama Serwaa Bonsu, and President of the Queen Mothers Foundation, encouraged the youth to use social media for peace rather than inciting violence.
She also urged journalists to reduce tension through their platforms, saying “Sensationalism and inflammatory reporting can incite violence and unrest. Responsible journalism helps mitigate the risk of conflicts and promotes peaceful coexistence”.
“A polarised media landscape can undermine democratic processes by spreading misinformation and bias. Journalists have a duty to provide accurate information that supports democratic engagement and accountability,” she added.
Executive Director of the Media Foundation for West Africa (MFWA), Sulemana Braimah, noted the upcoming election would be Ghana’s ninth successive democratic transition since military rule.
However, he said rising threats to democracy and peace were evident, with a significant increase in disinformation campaigns.
He mentioned that a recent report by the Africa Centre for Strategic Studies identified 72 such campaigns targeting West Africa, including Ghana.
Mr Braimah stated that the report attributed the surge in disinformation to both internal and external sources, including private groups like Israel’s Sinjord, which disrupts elections.
He indicated that Ghana’s polarised political environment and partisan media landscape further exacerbated these challenges, alongside high youth unemployment and active diasporic engagement.
To combat these threats, Mr Braimah said the Ford Foundation was supporting initiatives to train 100 journalists, raise public awareness, and hold regional forums to promote peace.
According to him collaborations with national institutions strengthen efforts against misinformation and uphold democratic stability.
BY RAISSA SAMBOU
